^ 




Capitol of Tennessee at Nashville. 
First occupied by the Legislature in 1853. 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE, 



ITS PEOPLE AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. 



WILLIAM ROBERTSON GARRETT, A. M., Ph. D., 

Professor Americau History and Dean of the Peabody Normal College, and Editor 
of the American Historical Magazine, 

AND 

ALBERT VIRGIL GOODPASTURE, A. M., 

Formerly Clerk of the Supreme Court of Tennessee. 



^^- 



NASHVILLE, TENN. : 
BRANDON PRINTING COMPANY. 
1900. 



'09j 



COPYRIGHT 1900 

BY 

W. R. GARRETT AND A. V. GOODPASTTTRB. 



PREFACE. 



The competent teacher of history demands of the text-book two 
essential qualities : 

First. The text-book must contain a clear statement of all mate- 
rial facts, and an adequate discussion of all important topics, arranged 
in such consecutive order as to cover the subject completely, and to 
connect all the parts in logical sequence. There must be no missing 
link in the chain of events. The author of the text-book does not 
share in the licence accorded to the general writer. He has no right 
to dilate on favorite or sensational topics to the omission or exclusion 
of essential links in the chain of history. In order to cover the 
subject in all its parts; it is necessary that the style be concise and 
the scope be comprehensive. If the text-book be defective in this 
first essential quality, no rhetorical excellence or charm of style can 
cure the defect. 

Second. In connection with the statement of each important fact, 
and the discussion of each important topic, the text-book must supply 
carefully selected page references to the sources of information, and to 
the best authorities in which the subject is treated more in detail than 
the restrictions of a school-book will permit. The skillful teacher 
makes this demand of the text-book, because he needs it as an aid to 
himself and a guide to the pupil, in order to accomplish the best 
results. He knows that the limitations of the school-term will not 
permit him to do more than lay the foundation upon which the pupil, 
himself, in future years must build the superstructure. 

If the teacher is ambitious that his teaching shall live in the 
future lives of his pupils, he looks beyond the school-room, and is 
not content to prepare his pupils only for the next recitation, or the 
next examination. If he aims to train lovers of history, or readers 
of history, or writers of history, he must give his pupils, at least, a 
glimpse of the rich and varied field of historical literature, with some 
training towards forming the habit of historical research, and some 
practice in the methods of historical investigation. The text-book 
should aid in this work by supplying references. 

As a quality next in importance, the teacher requires that the 
text-book shall be made as interesting as the limitations of space and 



6 Preface. 

the restrictions of a concise style will permit ; yet he can not pardon 
the text-book which sacrifices historical instruction to sensational 
composition. 

As a means to aid in rendering the conception of the pupil clear 
and permanent, the teacher also requires that the text-book shall be 
appropriately and copiously illustrated with maps, charts, pictures, 
and portraits, suited to convey the vivid impressions derived from the 
sense of sight, and he demands that these illustrations shall be correct 
and artistic. 

The above-mentioned qualities should be required of every school 
text-book on history. The text-book purporting to teach the history 
of Tennessee should also possess certain special features, adapted to 
the special phases of Tennessee history. If the pupils are to form at 
school an adequate conception of the history of their State, the sev- 
eral periods of its development and the rise and growth of its civil and 
political institutions must be clearly portrayed, and interwoven with 
the narrative of events. 

Beginning with the distinctive and romantic period of Tennessee 
history, which extends from the advent of the pioneer to the date of 
the admission of the State, in 1796, the spirit of this period should 
be taught as well as its facts. It is not enough that the children of the 
State should learn the events of this period when their fathers acted 
in the obscurity of the wilderness parts fit to adorn the theater of 
the world. They should be electrified with the spirit of their ances- 
tors. They should be taught to comprehend the character and aspira- 
tions of these pioneer heroes — these heroes, all unconscious of their 
own grandeur, invested with none of the extravagant attributes 
which make ancient heroes ludicrous, but simply a noble type 
of manhood equal to any human emergency, and developed into 
greatness by their romantic environments. Such instruction can not 
be imparted by the mere recital of events or anecdotes, however 
vividly narrated, nor by eulogies of a few leaders, however glowing. 
The picture must be a consecutive panorama, and must include the 
unnamed body of pioneers. Fully to appreciate the genius, the 
struggles, and the triumphs of the founders of Tennessee, the pupil 
must be so instructed as to form an adequate conception of their envi- 
ronments. He must have some knowledge of the aboriginal inhab- 
itants, their characteristics, their traditions, their claims to the soil, 
their relations to each other and to the white people. He must 
know something of the contest among the European powers for posses- 



Preface. 7 

sion of that portion of America which includes Tennessee. He must 
understand how this contest affected the early pioneers in their strug- 
gles with the Indians. 

With this knowledge clearly held in mind, he can appreciate not 
only the heroic acts of individuals, but also the grand achievements of 
the pioneers as a body. He can understand the dangers with which 
they were beset, the nature of their struggle, and the grandeur of 
their triumph over savage foes, British hostility, and Spanish intrigue. 
He can recognize their intuitive sagacity in establishing independent 
governments suited to their needs, ordaining the first written consti- 
tution framed by native Americans, founding in the wilderness the 
institutions of civilization, and planting the industries of domestic 
life. He can study intelligently the growth of the pioneer settlements 
into strong communities, and trace the result of Indian wars and 
Indian treaties to the time when the pioneers acquired title to every 
foot of soil of Tennessee by purchase or treaty. He can understand 
the reasons why the pioneers sought and obtained recognition from 
the parent State, surrendered their independent governments, and 
were merged into the State of North Carolina, He can appreciate 
the fact that in establishing their independent goverments, as also in 
surrendering them, their motive was always the same — to acquire the 
boon of being free citizens of a sovereign State, and of the United 
States. 

For about eight years the pioneers had enjoyed State citizenship, 
when they felt that it was endangered by the act of North Carolina, 
in 1784, ceding their country to the United States. Alarmed and 
indignant, unwilling that their rights of citizenship, for which they 
had struggled so long, should be so lightly regarded by the parent 
State, they determined to defend it by returning to their original con- 
dition of independent government, and attempted to establish the 
State of Franklin. The second cession by North Carolina, made in 
1789, and which went into effect in 1790, furnishes the only instance 
in the history of our country, previous to the "Reconstruction Period," 
in which the people of any populous community were degraded from 
the condition of State citizenship to that of ' ' inhabitants of a Terri- 
tory. ' ' The pupil can trace the causes which induced the people of 
the ceded territory to accept cheerfully, in 1790, the conditions which 
they had resisted in 1784. 

Through the period of apprenticeship under the Southwest Terri- 
tory, the people looked anxiously forward to statehood, when their 



8 Preface. 

rights of citizenship would be placed upon a secure and permanent 
footing. Impelled by the same ardent longing to enjoy this great 
boon, they anticipated the action of the United States, organized a 
State government, and entered upon the exercise of State sovereignty 
March 28, 1796, more than two months before the admission of the 
State by act of Congress. When finally admitted, June i, Tennessee 
was already a State in full operation, and had the honor to be the first 
State formed out of Federal territory. With its admission, in 1796, 
the distinctive and romantic period ends. 

In treating of Tennessee as a State, its history is interwoven with 
the general history of the United States, and the pupil enters upon a 
new phase of the subject. He finds less of romance, and deals more 
with political and economic questions. He must study the formation 
of constitutions, the development of institutions, questions of internal 
improvement. State debt, extension of the elective franchise, corpo- 
rations, etc., all complicated with questions of Federal politics. The 
narrative is varied with the events of Indian wars, and foreign wars, 
in all which Tennessee took a leading part and acquired the title of 
the "Volunteer State." 

The pupil must follow Tennessee in its rapid growth in popula- 
tion and wealth, and in political influence, until it becomes, during 
the period from 1824 to 1849, the most influential State in the Union. 
From the end of this period to the present time the history of Ten- 
nessee reaches forward into the memory of men now living, and 
approaches the boundary line which divides history and politics. 
History deals with past politics, and the historian shrinks from 
touching political questions of the present. Yet, it is the imperative 
duty of the teacher and of the text-book to supply to the pupil a true 
and impartial narrative of all the important events in which Tennes- 
see has taken part. 

The narrative of the Civil War and the * ' Reconstruction Period ' ' 
presents to the historian, as well as to the teacher, his most deli- 
cate task. The children of the State have a right to know all the 
facts of its history. Events of great importance must not be passed 
over in silence, or concealed by evasive treatment. The teacher and 
the text-book owe a duty to the State, to the pupil, to themselves, 
and to the truth of history. They must relate the events of the 
Civil War and of the "Reconstruction Period," and must paint a true 
picture of the bitter irritation of the times. 

The teacher or the writer who converts this duty of the historian 



Preface. 9 

into an occasion for rekindling buried passions, or for instilling into 
the tender minds of children sentiments of partisan animosity, is 
guilty of a crime against society. 

Fortunately, the picture has its bright side, and affords the 
opportunity to illustrate the magnanimous characteristics of the peo- 
ple of Tennessee, and to inspire generous and patriotic sentiments. 
The lesson must not end with depicting the passions aroused by war and 
reconstruction. It must go on to the pleasing recital of the restora- 
tion of political rights, followed by the growth of kindly sentiments 
which, even before the Spanish War, had reached the point of mutual 
forgiveness and charity to all. In teaching lessons of patriotism, the 
text-book can do little more than supply the materials. The teacher 
must rise above the text-book and inspire enthusiasm. 

The history of Tennessee from the time of the adoption of the 
Constitution of 1870 to the present time is a chain of peaceful events, 
including the annals of successive political administrations, the de- 
velopment of institutions, and the discussion of social, industrial, 
and financial interests. 

In preparing a text-book for the use of schools, the authors have 
endeavored to comply with the requirements which they believe to be 
demanded by the teachers of the State. They have endeavored to 
supply a complete and reliable guide for class work, which refrains 
from encroaching on the functions of the teacher by framing the text 
into a set form of recitation. They have attempted only to furnish 
the teacher with the materials for his work, leaving him free to use 
his own skill and judgment in the methods of instruction. 

If the book shall meet the approval of the teachers, the authors 
will be fully repaid for the labor they have undergone, by the con- 
sciousness that they have been permitted to aid in the work of in- 
structing the youth of Tennessee in the history of their State. 



SUGGESTIONS TO TEACHERS 

FOR USING THE BOOK. 



The Introductory Chapter is not suited for recitation. It contains so many 
names, dates, and subdivisions that the pupil would be overtaxed and discour- 
aged, if recjuired to commit them to memory in one lesson. 

This chapter is intended to serve two purposes, both of which are valuable 
in teaching history. First — It is an outline sketch in advance of Part I, and 
points out its connection with Part II. Second — It is an abstract for future 
reference. 

The following plan is recommended for using this chapter : 

On the first day, when the class has been organized, but no lesson has yet 
been assigned, let the pupils read the chapter in class, pausing at the end of each 
paragraph. Let the teacher comment on each paragraph as it is read, and on the 
whole subject when the reading is concluded. He should, also, notify the class 
that this chapter will be frequently cited, as the work progresses, and will be used 
as a guide during the entire course. Then assign the lesson for the next day, 
beginning with Chapter I. 

The remainder of the book is a series of topics, especially adapted to topical 
recitation, but also suited to any method of instruction. 

It will be noted that the topic discussed in each chapter is placed at its head 
in bold-faced type. Similarly, the subdivisions of the topic are placed in bold- 
faced type at the heads of the several paragraphs. These several topics and 
their subdivisions form a complete analysis of the subject, running through the 
book, and so arranged that each heading is at the place where it is needed for use, 
and so printed as to guide the pupil in studying the lesson, and to catch the eye 
of the teacher in conducting the recitation. 

In addition, a topical analysis is placed at the end of each general division, 
as an aid for reference and review, and as an exercise for unifying the subject. 

In judiciously conducting the topical recitation, the teacher is rewarded by 
the increased interest of the pupils, and by the elevation of the recitation from a 
catechism to a discussion. This method of recitation is much better than the 
method of catechism. It inspires pupils to form enlarged and comprehensive 
views of historical subjects, and furnishes the best training for practicing them in 
clearness and fluency of expression. 

It also frees the foot of the page from a list of questions which would only 
serve to annoy the competent teacher, and would lead the pupil to form the bad 
mental habit ofpicking up the subject in scraps, and would tend to leave in his mind 
a confused picture, disjointed into scattered fragments, like the view obtained in 
looking through a broken lens. The space thus released is utilized to a better 



SuGCxESTIONS TO TEACHERS. II 

advantage by foot-notes, explaining the text, or giving references to books in 
which the subject is treated more in detail. 

In many instances, it has been thought better to include in the text valuable 
information which the experienced teacher would not require pupils to commit to 
memory, but which it is important for them to know. For instance, in Chapter 
II, Paragraph 9, a list is given of the various modes in which the name of the 
Shawnees has been spelled. This list is too long for a foot-note, and would be lost 
in an appendix. It is placed in the text, but the skillful teacher would not require 
it to be committed to memory. He would use it as a means of varying the work 
of the class by requiring each pupil to bring the list in class written on slate or 
paper, or by sending a pupil to write the list on the blackboard, and then with 
pointer in hand, the teacher may demonstrate to the class the evolution of one 
form of the name from another. 

The book is copiously illustrated with maps, charts, pictures, and portraits. 
The skillful teacher knows how to use them. They address the eye, and implant 
impressions which descriptive language is inadequate to convey. It will be a 
valuable exercise to require the class to draw a few of the maps, or charts, which 
illustrate subjects which the teacher may desire to impress upon the memory of 
the pupils; for instance, the map on the Indian Treaties, or the map showing the 
condition of the piiblic lands at the date of the compact of 1S06, by which Ten- 
nessee acquired the right to dispose of the lands north and east of the Cougres-- 
sional line. 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 



IN TROD UCTOR Y CHAPTER. 

The beautiful State which we love under the name of Tennessee, 
has, at different periods of its history, been known by many other 
names. Some of these names have been applied to the entire State, 
and others to large portions of it. 

NAMES GIVEN BY THE INDIANS. 

Natchez.— It is thought that many years before the discovery 
of America, Tennessee formed a part of the territory of the Natchez 
Indians, and was known by their name. The Natchez were expelled 
by the ' ' red Indians of the North ' ' before the country was settled 
by the whites, and very little is known about them. 

The Chickasaw Country. — After the expulsion of the Natchez, 
the western portion of Tennessee was occupied by the Chickasaws, 
and was known by their name. The Chickasaws remained in West 
Tennessee long after its settlement by the whites. 

The Cherokee Country. — About 1623 the Cherokees took pos- 
session of the eastern portion of the State, and gave their name to that 
romantic section. They retained their possessions long after the set- 
tlement by the whites. 

The Hunting- Grounds. — After the expulsion of the Natchez 
from Tennessee, the Iroquois, or Six Nations, claiming that their 
ancestors had conquered the country, held Middle Tennessee, with 
portions of Alabama and Kentucky, as their national park. They 
designated this park by an Indian word which means ' ' Hunting 
Grounds." The white settlers called it "The Hunting Grounds." 

The Shawnee Country. — At a later period, the Shawnees occu- 
pied the Hunting Grounds of the Iroquois for a short time, and 
Middle Tennessee was known by their name, which is still retained 
by Sewanee Mountain. 

Kentucky. — This name was applied by the Indians to the en- 
tire region included between the Ohio and Tennessee rivers and 



14 History of Tennessee. 

the Appalachian Mountains. This country is nearly in the form of 
a circle. Historians differ as to the origin of the name. It is gen- 
erally believed that the Shawnees gave the name, Kentucky, which 
means "the dark and bloody ground," to the country in which they 
waged such fierce warfare and sustained such fearful losses during 
their brief residence. 

SPANISH NAME. 

Florida. — In the contest between the European nations for 
the possession of America, Spain, France, and England each claimed 
Tennessee. Spain included it in her province of Florida. 

FRENCH NAMES. 

New France. — France explored a portion of the State, estab- 
lished trading posts at Memphis, Nashville, and other points, and 
included Tennessee in her province of New France. 

Louisiana. — When France reorganized the form of government 
for her American possessions, Tennessee was included in her province 
of Louisiana, so named in honor of Louis, Le Grand. 

ENGLISH COLONIAL NAMES. 

Virginia. — ^From 1584, when Sir Walter Raleigh began the 
colonization of America, to 1663, Tennessee was a part of the colony 
of Virginia — a period of seventy-nine years. 

Carolina. — When Virginia was divided in 1663, Tennessee became 
a part of Carolina, and so remained until 1693 — a period of thirty 
years. 

North Carolina. — When Carolina was divided into two prov- 
inces, Tennessee became a part of North Carolina, and so re- 
mained until 1790. During this period its settlement by Europeans 
began. Previous to 1763, Tennessee had not been settled by the 
whites, and was almost unknown to them, although successively 
included within the charter limits of the English colonies above 
named, and also claimed by Spain and France. After the " First 
Treaty of Paris," in 1763, the title of England was established by 
treaty, and a flood of immigrants began to pour in. These settlers 
established independent communities, and gave new names to differ- 
ent portions of the State. 

Watauga. ^Settlers in the eastern portion of the State from 
Virginia and North Carolina, in 1772 organized an independent gov- 



Introductory. 15 

ernment, and adopted the famous " Articles of the Watauga Associa- 
tion." This was the first written constitution adopted west of the 
Appalachian Mountains, and the first constitution made by native 
Americans. 

NAMES OF TENNESSEE AS A PART OP THE UNITED 
STATES. 

Washington County. — The settlers of Watauga had emigrated 
west mainly to escape the rule of the British colonial governors. 
They were uncertain whether their new home was within the char- 
ter limits of Virginia or North Carolina. They availed themselves 
of this uncertainty and of their remoteness from the seats of gov- 
ernment to hold aloof from either colony. When the breaking out 
of the Revolutionary War, in 1775, afforded the prospect for free- 
dom from British rule, the hearts of the Watauga settlers turned to 
their old friends and neighbors who were fighting the battles of the 
Revolution on the Atlantic coast. They tendered their sympathy and 
aid. They organized themselves into a military district called Wash- 
ington, which was the first geographical division named in honor of 
the Father of his Country. Having discovered that they were located 
within the charter limits of North Carolina, they applied for recogni- 
tion from that State. In compliance with this petition, the Legis- 
lature of North Carolina, in 1777, erected the county of Washington, 
with the boundaries which now include the State of Tennessee. 

Cumberland. — In 1780 the settlers on the banks of Cumber- 
land River organized an independent government under articles of 
agreement, entitled the "Cumberland Compact." Fortunately this 
Compact has been preserved, and is a model of government suited to 
pioneer life. The middle portion of the State was popularly called 
Cumberland for many years. 

Ff ankland, or Franklin. — In 17S4 the eastern portion of the 
State attempted to form an independent government. Historians 
differ as to the name. Judge Haywood, "the father of Tennessee 
history," calls ii Fra?ik/a/id (the land of the free). Later historians 
call it Franklin. It is certain that the convention which assembled at 
Greeneville, November 14, 1785, adopted the name Frajiklin. The 
"State of Franklin" came to an end in 17S7. 

Southwest Territory. — In December, 1789, the Legislature of 
North Carolina passed the act ceding Tennessee to the United 
States. February 25, 1790, the deed of cession was presented to 



1 6 History of Tennessee. 

Congress and was accepted April 2, 1790. An act for the government 
of the territory was passed by Congress May 26, 1790. The territory 
was styled in legislation ' ' The Territory of the United States South 
of the River Ohio" ; but was popularly called the Southwest Terri- 
tory. William Blount was appointed governor, and Knoxville was 
the Territorial capital. For a period of six years Tennessee remained 
in territorial apprenticeship. 

Tennessee. — In 1796 the Southwest Territory became a State, 
State, being the first State erected out of the United States Territory. 
The beautiful name, Tennessee, is said to have been proposed by 
Andrew Jackson. Let us hope that it will be the last of our many 
names, and let us echo the memorable prayer of Blackstone and 
Father Paul, Esto perpehia. 

Divisions of the Subject. — Our history is thus divided into two 
parts, as follows: 

Part I. 

The history of Tennessee from the earliest times to the date of 
its admission as a State of the Union, June i, 1796. Part I embraces 
three divisions : 

(i) Aboriginal History ; including sketches of che Indian tribes 
who resided within the limits of the State, or were connected with its 
history. 

(2) History of the Colonial Relations ; extending from 1584, when 
the English colonial system began, to 1763, when the First Treaty of 
Paris established the claims of England ; and including the colonial 
relations of Tennessee to foreign claimants, and to the English gov- 
ernment, and as part successively of Virginia, of Carolina, and of 
North Carolina. 

(3) The History of the Settlement of the Conntry by the whites 
to the date of its admission as a State. 

Part II. 

The history of Tennessee from its admission into the Union, 1796, 
to the present time. This part is also treated in three divisions : 
(i) Tennessee zaider the Constitution of iyg6. 

(2) Tennessee under the Constitutio?t of 1834.. 

(3) Te?i?iessee tinder the Constitution of iS'jo. 



PART I. 



THE HISTORY OF TENNESSEE FROM THE EARLIEST 

TIMES TO THE DATE OF ITS ADMISSION 

AS A STATE, JUNE I, 1796. 




Indian Races East op the Mississippi River. 



DIVISION I. 

ABORIGINAL HISTORY. 



CHAPTER I. 

THE INDIANS. 

\* Indian Races. — Four races of Indians, distinct from each other 
in characteristics and appearance, lived east of the Mississippi River 
when Cohirabus discovered America, viz.: the Esquimaux, the Algon- 
quins, the Iroquois, and the Mobilians. The Esquimaux dwelt in 
Labrador and the extreme northern part of America. They have no 
connection with Tennessee history. The Algonquins occupied the 
entire country from the Carolina line north to the country of the Es- 
quimaux, except a small territory around the great lakes. The Iro- 
quois, or Five Nations, occupied a small area around Lakes Ontario 
and Erie and touched Lake Huron. The entire territory from the 
northern boundary of Carolina southward, except portions of Middle 
Tennessee and North Alabama, was occupied by the Mobilians. 
These races were subdivided into various tribes. These should be 
studied and located on the map.^ 

2. The Mobilian Race* — Although the history of Tennessee has 
been influenced by the Iroquois race, and by the Shawnee tribe of the 
Algonquin race, and by other Indians, yet the most important Indian 
relations of the pioneers were with the tribes of the Mobilian^ race, or 
the Appalachian race, as they are sometimes called. The principal 
tribes of this race were : the Cherokees, the Chickasaws, the Creeks, 
the Choctaws, and the Seminoles. The Chickamaugas are gener- 
ally classed as a branch of the Cherokees, but are sometimes treated 

^Much has been written on this subject, little positive is known, and accounts 
are vague and contradictory. Still it is an interesting subject of investigation. 
See Johnson's Cyclopedia, American Indians ; Reports of U. S. Bureau of Eth- 
nology ; Schoolcraft ; any good cyclopedia, etc. 

^See Roosevelt's " Winning of the West," Vol. I., Chapters 3 and 4. 



20 History of Tennessee. 

as an independent tribe. There were many other Mobilian tribes, but 
they had little connection with Tennessee history.^ 

THE NATCHEZ. 

3» Were They Aborigfines? — Before studying the histor>' of the 
Mobilian tribes, with which the early history of Tennessee is inti- 
mately connected, let us briefly examine into what is known of the 
Natchez. We find that very little is known. It is conjectured by 
ethnologists that the Natchez, if not the aborigines of Tennessee, 
were the first inhabitants of whom we have any trace. All knowl- 
edge of their early history rests upon vague Indian legends, infer- 
ences drawn from accounts of the expedition of DeSoto in 1540, and of 
other explorers, together with such interpretations as may be placed 
upon various mounds and relics which have been discovered. 

4. Theories about the Natchez. — Various theories have been ad- 
vanced by speculative writers. The most plausible of these theories 
is, that America was peopled by immigrants from Asia and Europe, 
arriving at various times in the remote past. One wave of Indian 
migration starting from the Southern Pacific coast moved northeast, 
another wave starting from the neighborhood of Behring Strait moved 
southward, and possibly other waves starting from the Middle Pacific 
coast moved east . It is supposed that these waves of Indian migration 
met somewhere along the banks of the Mississippi or the Ohio rivers, 
where a fierce conflict ensued. According to this theory, the Natchez 
were the advance guard of the Southern Indians. They crossed the 
Mississippi and occupied the country from the Iberville River in Lou- 
isiana up to the Wabash River in Indiana, and extended eastward to 
the Alleghany Mountains. There is no evidence to show how long 
they occupied this territory. They were invaded by "the red In- 
dians of the North," and after a fierce conflict were driven south- 
ward, a small remnant of the race retaining a foot-hold along the 
eastern bank of the Mississippi, and are now nearly extinct. 

5. The Mound Builders.^ — In many portions of the State mounds 

^In the limits of North Carolina, of which Tennessee was a part, there were 
many Indian tribes, viz. : the Catawbas, the Tuscaroras, the Meherrins, the Ma- 
chapungoes, the Pasquotunks, the Tuteloes, the Mohenens, Caronines, the Sap- 
ponies, the Toleras, the Keyawies, the Curratukes, the Pamlicoes, the Mattamus- 
keets, the Chowanches, the Marattas, the Mangoes, the Corees, the Weapomeas, 
the Chesopians, and others. See Ramsey's Annals, pp. 73-87 ; Moore's School 
History of North Carolina, pp. 13-16; Monette, Adair, etc. 

^Thruston's Antiquities of Tennessee, Chapters i and 2, and authorities there- 
in quoted; American Historical Magazine, Vol. I., pp. 253-257 (July No. 1896). 



The Indians. 



21 



of curious shape, and other remains have been discovered which bear 
the evidence of great age, and of civilization beyond that of the Mo- 
bilian tribes who occupied the country at the advent of the white set- 
tlers. Some of these mounds, especially those in the shape of a cone, 
are thought to be structures for observation or residence ; other 

mounds were un- 
doubtedly places 
for the burial of 
the dead. The su- 
perstition of the 
Indians led them 
to deposit in the 
grave of the dead 
warrior many o f 
his personal effects. 
These relics con- 
sisted of pipes, 
weapons, domestic 
utensils, ornaments 
and other articles. 
These relics not only show a greater degree of skill than the Mobil- 
ian or Algonquin tribes possessed, but also evince characteristics dif- 
ferent from those of the Mobilians, or Algonquins. These last named 
races were, indeed, superstitious, but their religion was a spiritual re- 
ligion, and was a part of their daily lives. Diiferent from other sav- 




Earth Works at Savannah. 





Indian Stone Images.' 



^From Thruston's Antiquities. 



22 History of Tennessee. 

ages, they did not worship idols, nor build temples, and they erected 
no human monument as an emblem of their faith. ^ On the other 
hand, the moundbuilders erected mounds and graves of permanent 
structure, containing relics which, taken in connection with vague 
legends, indicate a somewhat superior race, which used emblems of 
religion and had acquired a certain degree of skill in mechanism. 
Such evidences incline recent ethnologists to believe that the Natchez 
were a branch of the mound-building race. 

THE IROQUOIS, OR FIVE NATIONS.^ 

6. A Model of Government. — The Iroquois race lived around the 
Great Lakes, and its tribes were united in a confederation, known as 
the Five Nations, This confederation consisted of the Mohawks, the 
Senecas, the Cayugas, the Onondagas, and the Oneidas. At a later 
period the Tuscaroras were admitted, and the confederation became 
known as the Six Nations. They were the best governed and the 
most powerful of all the Indian peoples. Their government was the 
first confederated republic in the world, and is similar to that of the 
United States. They were especially proud of their form of govern- 
ment, often recommending it to the British colonies. Schoolcraft re- 
lates that Connossatego, an Iroquois Sachem, at the Lancaster Con- 
ference in 1774, explained the Iroquois system to the commissioners 
of Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Maryland, and advised them to adopt 
a similar form. 

7. The Hunting Grounds* — The Iroquois claimed that their an- 
cestors had conquered a large portion of Kentucky and Tennessee. 
Possibly their ancestors were the "red Indians of the North" who 
had expelled the Natchez. '^ By virtue of this claim, they held pos- 
session of all the country between the Ohio and Tennessee rivers and 
Appalachian Mountains, forming an area, somewhat circular or ellip- 
tical in shape, and including Middle Tennessee, with portions of North 
Alabama and Kentucky. This magnificent country they constituted 

'Some recent investigations indicate that mounds were built by some of the 
Mobilian races, even within historic times. This, however, is not a general char- 
acteristic of the race. 

^Haywood, p. 88; Ramsey, pp. 73-77; Schoolcraft, Vol. III., pp. 183 et seq., 
Vol. v., pp. 631-646. 

■'All accounts of the title on which the claim of the Iroquois rested are vague. 
It is certain that they made an indefinite claim, which they conveyed in the 
treaty at Fort vStanwix. 



The Indians. 



23 



their national park, or Hunting Grounds. They forbade, under pain 
of their mortal enmity, any residence or encroachments upon this 

territory, and appointed the Cher- 
okees on the east, and the Chick- 
asaws on the west as guardians of 
their park. It was one of the 
most fertile and best watered tracts 
in America, and abounded in fish 
and game of every kind. No 
country could be better suited to 
delight the heart of the savage. 
The Indians considered it too 
good to be spoiled by settle- 
ments, and thus the white immi- 
grants found this beautiful coun- 




Old Stone Fort Near Manchester. 



try uninhabited and awaiting the pioneer. 



CHAPTER II. 



THE INDIANS— [Continued). 
THE vSHAWNEES. 

8. Their Vicissitudes. — All pupils should learn the romantic 
story of these "Gypsies of the Forest," and all Tennessee pupils 
especially should study the pathetic history of that branch of the 
tribe which lived for a short time in Tennessee. ^ The Shawnees were 
a tribe or nation of the Algonquin race. They were at one time pow- 
erful and prosperous. Their roving disposition led them to separate 
into many branches, which resided temporarily in localities far apart 
from each other. Different portions of this tribe, at different times, 
resided in nearly every part of the United States except in the ex- 
treme Northeast and the extreme Southwest. One branch resided, for 
a short time, in Middle Tennessee. The history of the tribe is little 

^Froui Thrustou's Antiquities. 

'^Drake's History of Tecumseh ; Egglestou's History of Tecumseh ; any good 
cyclopedia; Reports of U. S. Bureau of Ethnology; Ramsey; Thruston's An- 
tiquities; Imlay's America, pp. 290-294, 362, et seq. Imlay wrote in 1797, and 
gives much interesting information about the Indians, the several items being 
scattered through the 598 pages of his book. They can be gathered by referring 
to the Index. 



24 History of Tennessee. 

more than an enumeration of adventures and disasters. Brave, ener- 
getic, and aggressive, they were nearly always unfortunate, but always 
undismayed. Though unlucky in many respects, they were pecul- 
iarly unlucky in the spelling of their name. 

9. Their Many Names. — The Indians had no system of spelling 
or writing, and no fixed standard of pronunciation. Thus, the pro- 
nunciation of their tribal names differed widely even among them- 
selves. The different European nations with whom they came in con- 
tact pronounced and spelled the names in accordance with their sev- 
eral ideas of sound and spelling. The stationary tribes, who were 
thrown with only one nation, or with only one colony of that nation, 
were designated by names to which a uniform pronunciation and a 
fixed spelling became attached. With the roving or widely scattered 
tribes the case was different. As the several divisions of the tribe at- 
tracted the attention of different colonies of the same European nation, 
their names were spelled impromptu, by people far apart from each 
other, and who were often not expert in spelling. The confusion 
was increased when the divisions of the tribe were so far apart as to 
encounter the explorers or settlers of the different European nations. 
English, French, and Spanish caught the sound differently and 
spelled it differently. The Shawnees, being the most restless, roving, 
and widely scattered tribe of all the Indians, suffered more than all 
others in this respect. Their name has been written: Shawnees, 
Shawanese, Shawaneu, Shawenu, Shawanoes, Sewanees, Suwanees, 
Sawanos, Suwannoes, Savanoes, Savannahs,^ Satanas, Santanas, 
Shauvanon, Chauvanon, Chouanon, Chowan, Showan, Cheavanoes, 
besides other variations of the same stem-word. In addition to this, 
divisions of the tribe have been designated by names which bear no 
apparent etymological relation to the tribal name; viz.: Yemasses, 
Massawomies, etc. 

10. One of Their Peculiarities. — They had a fondness for giving 
their name to rivers, mountains, and localities. Perhaps, more names 
of the natural features of the country and of localities, remain as me- 
mentoes of this tribe than of any other Indians. It may interest the 
pupil to take a map of the United States, a good gazetteer, and an 
official post-office guide, and from these, in connection with the various 
Shawnee names enumerated above, to make a list of all the places in 
the United States to which the Shawnees have given one or another 

'Report U. S. Bureau of Ethnology, 1890-91, pp. 693, et seq.; Ibid., 575-5^6; 
Drake's History of Tecumseh. 



The Indians. 25 

of their various names. The pupil will not, of course, fail to note 
Sewanee Mountain, Sewanee town, and Shawnee or Chauvanon River 
(now Cumberland), in Tennessee. 

n. The Tennessee Branch. — Historians have been unable to as- 
sign the date when the Shawnees settled in Tennessee, and differ in 
their accounts of the place from which they came, the causes of their 
removal, the duration of their residence, and the circumstances con- 
nected with their final expulsion. From the best available evidence, 
it would seem that they came to Tennessee after the advent of the 
Cherokees, and previous to 1681. They settled in the uninhabited 
Hunting Grounds of the Iroquois, along the banks of the Shawnee 
(now Cumberland) River, and probably occupied Sewanee Mountain 
and other stations. They were expelled by the Cherokees and Chick- 
asaws in conjunction with the Iroquois, and left the Hunting Grounds 
again uninhabited. The expulsion occurred, perhaps, about the year 
1 7 14. Among the many legends connected with this branch, the fol- 
lowing seems plausible : 

J2. A Legend of the Shawnees.^— The principal portion of this 
tribe dwelt south of the famous Iroquois, or Five Nations. They 
did not prove to be congenial neighbors. After many quarrels and 
conflicts, the Iroquois moved against them in force, and defeated 
them in a terrible battle. The Shawnees abandoned their homes, 
and retreated southward in search of a new place of residence. 
Upon arriving at Cumberland Gap, they halted for rest and consul- 
tation. At the council which was held, one party favored enter- 
ing into the uninhabited National Park, or Hunting Grounds of their 
old enemies, the Iroquois, through the gateway of Cumberland Gap, 
which stood invitingly open. The other party, fearing the vengeance 
of their dreaded foes, insisted upon seeking a safer asylum further 
south. 

The tribe finally decided to separate. One portion continued 
south to Georgia and Florida, occupying the country between the 
two rivers to which they gave their names, the Suwanee^ and the 



^This is a floating legend which rests upon no reliable evidence. It is not ac- 
cepted by the authorities. If true, it would account for some facts for which the 
authorities ^\\& no satisfactory explanation. 

2 Mr. S. G. Boyd, in his excellent work on Local Indian Names, gives the name 
of vSuwanee River in Florida as derived from the Creek word sazvani, which means 
eclio ; and Suwanee River means "Echo River." This seems far-fetched. The 
Shawnees or Suwanees dwelt along the banks of this river, and indulged their 



26 



History of Tennessee. 




Savannah.^ The former name has become famous in 
the beautiful negro melody, "Way down upon de 
Swanee Ribber." The other portion determined to 
brave the anger of the Iroquois, and immediately 
took possession of the Hunting Grounds. The Cher- 
okees and Chickasaws, as guardians of the Park, 
served on them notice to quit. Upon the refusal 
of the Shawn ees, war was declared. In many bloody 
engagements, the Shawnees made good their de- 
fense, and repulsed their assailants. The Iroquois 
were at this time engaged in a war nearer home. 

t3. The Expulsion.^ — Finally, a combined at- 
tack was made upon the intruders by the Chero- 
kees and Chickasaws, aided by the Iroquois. The 
Shawnees were routed, and this portion of the tribe 
nearly annihilated. Some writers state that the sur- 
vivors were intercepted in their flight by the Iro- 
quois, captured and divided among their several na- 
tions as slaves. Other historians state that the sur- 
vivors joined some of their comrades who had set- 
tled in Kentucky, and together with them removed 
to Indiana, where they united with another portion 
of the tribe who lived along the banks of the Wabash. 
The expulsion of the Shawnees closed their connec- 
tion with Tennessee history, and left the Hunting 
Grounds again uninhabited. 
14. The Uchees. — The Uchees were a tribe of Indians who at 
one time lived in Tennessee, but who, like the Natchez and Shawnees, 
were not within the limits of the State at the date of the arrival of 
the English settlers. Very little is known of the Uchees. The}- 
once lived in East Tennessee, were defeated by the Cherokees, and 

propensity to give their own name to the stream. Some experts in Indian names 
adhere to the theory, that Suwanee is a corruption of the Spanish name, San Juan. 

^Mr. Boyd also thinks that the name Savannah was derived from the Spanish 
word, sabana, meaning a meadow, prairie, or plain. It is much more probable 
that the name was derived from the name Satanas or Savannoes, by which that 
branch of the Shawnees were known, who dwelt along the banks of the river. 
See Annual Report, Bureau of Ethnology, 1890-91, pp. 693, ct seq. 

^Whatever vagueness may attach to the manner and date of their arrival, 
the length of their residence, and the circumstances of their expulsion, it is his- 
torically certain that they were expelled. 




Indian Arrow 
Head. 



The Indians. 27 

subsequently disappeared. They exercised no influence in the history 
of Tennessee. 

J5. The Choctaws, — This Mobilian tribe lived south of Tennes- 
see, and exercised but little influence in the affairs of the pioneers. 
The name of the tribe, however, is sometimes mentioned in connec- 
tion with the pioneer history. 

J 6. The Seminoles. — This Mobilian tribe lived in Florida. It 
had no connection with the pioneer history of Tennessee, but had an 
important connection with the history of the State at a later period. 

J 7. The Creeks* — This tribe belonged to the Mobilian race, and 
lived south of Tennessee. Roving bands belonging to this tribe tem- 
porarily dwelt along the borders, and frequently invaded the Cum- 
berland settlements. Under their famous chief, McGillivray, they 
were formidable enemies to the pioneers of the Cumberland. When 
we enter on the colonial history, frequent mention will be made of the 
Creek, or Muskogee warriors. 

J8. The Cherokees. — The Indians of this tribe were the formid- 
able foes of the Watauga settlers. They were fierce, vindictive, and 
warriors by nature. They resented 
the intrusion of the white pioneers, 
and contested their encroachments 
in many sanguinary conflicts, run- 
ning through the entire colonial his- 
tory of Tennessee, until their power 

was finally broken by the great " In- /= "'X 

dian fighter," John Sevier. It is J-c';'/-: . 

generally supposed that the Chero- .*'!"°"V <'," 

kees removed from the neighborhood "'.'•.,'*/ 

of the Yadkin and Catawba rivers to '■ ','"''' 

East Tennessee about 1623, although 

the date can not be positively stated. ' „ / 

The main body lived in Tennessee 
along the mountains of the eastern 
border. A portion of the tribe, called sequo-yah, authok^of cherokkk 

the Chickamaugas, lived along the 

southern border, partty in Tennessee and partly in Georgia, their 
principal station being near Chattanooga. The Cherokees will be 
often mentioned in connection with colonial history. 

19. The Chickasaws. — The Cherokees and Chickasaws were the 
two tribes resident in Tennessee at the advent of the white settlers. 




28 History of Tennessee. 

These two tribes and the Creeks, who were non-residents of Tennes- 
see, were the Indians with whom the pioneers had to deal. There is 
no positive information as to the time when the Chickasaws settled in 
Tennessee, or where they came from. It is supposed that they came 
from the West. ^ They claimed all of West Tennessee between the 
Mississippi and Tennessee rivers, north to the Ohio River, and portions 
of Mississippi, south to the country of the Choctaws. They were 
peaceful in disposition, but were gallant warriors, and were uniformly 
victorious over such Indian enemies as ventured to attack them. 
They were consistent and useful friends and allies to the Cumberland 
settlers. We shall have frequent occasion to mention them when we 
come to the colonial histor3^ 

20, The RemovaL — Finally, the Cherokees, Chickasaws, and 
Creeks ceded all their lands to the whites, and, together with all the 
Southern tribes, were removed to the Indian Territory across the 
Mississippi River, where they have made remarkable progress in civ- 
ilization, and have become the richest nations of the world in pro- 
portion to population.^ 

^Schoolcraft, Vol. I., pp. 309, et scq. 

^In addition to the general references heretofore given, the student may refer 
to Haywood's Aboriginal History of Tennessee. This book, however, is so rare as 
to be practically inaccessible. Haywood's Civil and Political History has been 
reprinted by the Methodist Publishing House, and may be easily obtained. All 
the page references to Haywood refer to the reprint. The great thesauros of 
Indian history is the extensive work of vSchoolcraft. The latest theories and most 
accurate information are found in the Reports of the United States Bureau of Eth- 
nology. Much information may be found in the cyclopedias, under the appro- 
priate heads. Ramsey, Putnam and Thruston furnish valuable information. 
See American Historical Magazine, Vol. 2, pp. 103-112 (April Number, 1897); 
Ibid., pp. 139-146; Ibid., Vol. 4, p. 304 (October Number, 1899). 



Topical Analysis. 29 

TOPICAL ANALYSIS OF DIVISION I. 

JHE INDIANS. 

I. The Racks East of the Mississippi River. — The Esquimaiix ; the 
Algouquins ; the Iroquois ; and the Mobilians, or the Appalachians. 

a. The MoBii^iAN Race. — Their principal tribes. Influence ou settlement 
of Tennessee. 

3. The Natchez. — Their history legendary. Theories. Occupied parts of 
Tennessee. Expelled by Red Indians of the North. 

4. The Mound Buii^deRS. — Their relics show skill. Various theories with 
reference to them. 

5. The Irooiiois. — Ivived near the Great I/akes. Their government. Their 
hunting grounds. 

6. The Shawnees. — Their vicissitudes. Their many names. Their fond- 
ness for giving their names to natural features. Take possession of the Hunting 
Grounds. The Shawnee legend. The expulsion. 

7. The UcheES. — Little known of them. Left Tennessee before the advent 
of the pioneer. 

8. The ChocTaws. — Lived south of Tennessee. Had little influence on 
early settlements. 

9. The SeminoIvES. — Lived south of Tennessee. Had no connection with 
its history until a later period. 

10. The Creeks. — Lived south of Tennessee. Were inveterate and formid- 
able enemies of the pioneers. 

11. The Chickasaws. — Occupied western part of Tennessee. Were peaceful 
and brave. Became warm friends of the pioneers. 

12. The CherokEES. — Lived in eastern part of Tennessee, part of the tribe 
extending south. The Chickamaugas. Hostility to the pioneers. 

13. The removal of the Southern Indians. 



DIVISION II. 

THE COLONIAL RELATIONS OF TENNESSEE FROM 
1584 TO 1763. 



CHAPTER III. 
THE EUROPEAN CONTEST FOR POSSESSION OF AMERICA. 

21. Importance of Contemporaneous History. — The thoughtless 
student is apt to suppose that the events which have taken place 
within the limits of the State supply all the information that is neces- 
sary to understand its history ; that because the Atlantic Ocean rolls 
between us and Europe we have, therefore, no connection with Euro- 
pean affairs. There could be no greater mistake. Humanity affects 
humanity wherever humanity exists, as the heavenly bodies reach 
each other through space and control each others' movements. The 
settlement and early history of Tennessee were dependent upon the 
condition of affairs in Europe, and no student of history can under- 
stand our pioneer era without studying the contemporaneous history 
of the period. 

22. Spanish Claims. — Spain was the first claimant of the soil of 
Tennessee. In the fifteenth century Spain had grown to be the 
greatest power in Europe, by land and sea. In 1492, having com- 
pleted the conquest of the Moors, Ferdinand and Isabella yielded to 
the solicitations of the Genoese navigator, and gave their sanction to 
the expedition which resulted in the discovery of America. Colum- 
bus landed at San Salvador, and claimed all the new and unexplored 
western world in the name of the Spanish sovereigns. Anxious to 
preclude all rivals, Spain procured an edict from the Pope, granting 
all the new world to Spain, as the discoverer. The authority of the 
Pope, supported by the power of Spain, was esteemed sufiicient 
guarantee of the title, and seemed to mark America for Spanish 
settlement. But Providence willed it otherwise. 

23. Spanish Explorations in Tennessee. — In May, 1539, Ferdi- 
nand DeSoto landed in Florida, and began his famous expedition 
which resulted in the discovery of the Mississippi River. In the 
accounts of this expedition, given by the followers of DeSoto, the 
rivers, villages, and localities are called by Indian names, which it is 



Contest for Possession op America. 31 

almost impossible to identify. In the spring of 1541, DeSoto crossed 
the Mississippi near the Indian village of Chisca, which was situated 
on the Chickasaw Bluffs, where Memphis now stands. Thus, the 
Spaniards were the first of Europeans to enter the limits of Tennessee. ^ 
After the expedition of DeSoto the Spaniards were discouraged and 
inactive, and made no efforts to colonize or occupy that portion of 
their province of Florida now known as Tennessee. Yet Spain did 
not for many years formally abandon her claims, and even after she 
had been forced to cede them by treaty, the recollection of her former 
title led her to nurse hopes for recovering the country, and to enter 
upon a course of policy known as the "Spanish Intrigues," which 
produced important results on our early history. 

24. Other Claims. — In the days of Columbus there were no 
newspapers, telegraphs, or telephones to herald the discovery of 
America over the world. The news spread slowly, but such an event 
could not be concealed. The nations of Europe, and especially Eng- 
land and France, turned covetous eyes to the new world, but they 
feared the power of Spain, and were compelled to be cautious. They 
sent explorers to examine the country, in order to lay the foundation 
for future claims, but they did not dare as yet to attempt possession. 
Important events must take place in the Old World before the destiny 
of the New World is decided. The power of Spain must be weak- 
ened by the Reformation and broken by the defeat of the Spanish 
Armada, and Europe must change front from the Mediterranean to the 
Atlantic before England and France can trust their ships on the ocean, 
and plant colonies in America. 

25. The Effect of the Refofmation.— The revolt of the Protest- 
ants, beginning in the Church, spread among the people, and at 
length caused a revolution in government. The Pope attempted to 
crush the Protestants, and Spain came to his aid with the whole of 
her immense power. The German States, aided by England, resisted 
bravely. The result was a series of fierce wars which drenched 
Europe in blood, and finally broke the power of Spain. Although 
Tennessee was then a wilderness, her future settlement hung on the 
issue of these European events. The student of Tennessee history 
will be well repaid by reading the books noted below, ^ and he will 

'Ramsey's Annals of Tennessee, pp. 17 et seq.; Bancroft, Vol. I; Irving; 
Monette ; also any good Cyclopedia, under head of DeSoto. 

^Prescott's Ferdinand and Isabella; Robertson's Charles V; Prescott's Philip 
II; Motley's Dutch Republic. 



32 History of Tennessee. 

arise from the perusal well informed on many European events which 
influenced the early settlement of America, and which can not be 
detailed in a school text-book. 

26. Queen Elizabeth and Raleig:h. — Queen Elizabeth of England 
had given mortal offense to the vindictive tyrant, Philip II of Spain, 
by rejecting his proposals of marriage, by espousing the Protestant 
cause, by aiding the revolt of the Netherlands, and by detaining as a 
prisoner Mary Queen of Scots, whose destruction she was even then 
contemplating. Foreseeing the inevitable contest with Spain, she 
lent a ready ear to the solicitations of her favorite, the gallant and 
sagacious Walter Raleigh. She determined upon the policy of invit- 
ing the conflict with Spain by asserting her claims in America, which 
had been allowed to slumber for more than eighty-six years. In 1583 
she issued a patent to Sir Humprey Gilbert, the half-brother of Walter 
Raleigh, empowering him to explore and colonize her American pos- 
sessions. Here were sown the seeds of the great European contest for 
the possession of America. 

27. English Begin Colonization. — Sir Humphrey Gilbert set sail 
with five vesels. He visited New Foundland, and on the return voyage 
lost his own life and four of his vessels in a storm at sea. In the next 
year, 1584, Sir Walter Raleigh obtained a new patent from the Queen, 
granting him all the land in America extending between the thirty- 
third and fortieth parallelsof north latitude. He sent two vessels, under 
the command of Philip Armidas and Arthur Barlow, to explore the 
American possessions. This expedition came in sight of the coast of 
that portion of Virginia which is now North Carolina, on the four- 
teenth day of July, 1584, and anchored near Roanoke Island July 16. 
On this day the foot of the white man for the first time touched the 
soil of Virginia. After remaining a few days for the purpose of send- 
ing out exploring parties and trading with the natives, this expedi- 
tion returned to England, taking with them two Indians, named 
Manteo and Waiichese. Raleigh was much gratified with the report 
of his explorers, which he represented to the Queen in glowing colors, 
and asked permission to name the country in honor of the virgin queen. 
The name Virginia was given to the whole country extending from 
the thirty-third to the fortieth parallel of north latitude, and stretching 
indefinitely to the west.^ Basing her claim upon the exploration of 

* Tvct the pupil point out these boundaries on a map of the United States. 



Contest for Possession of America. 33 

the Cabots, in 1497 and 1498, Queen Elizabeth determined to colonize 
the country and maintain her title at all hazards. 

28. Lane^s Colony. — ^Raleigh having received the rank of knight 
from the Queen, and having his patent confirmed by act of Parlia- 
ment, fitted out an expedition intended this time for colonization. 
On the twenty-sixth day of June, 1585, Sir Richard Grenville, in 
command of Raleigh's fleet of seven ships, reached the coast of 
America. He brought with him one hundred and eight colonists, with 
Ralph Lane as governor. This colony returned to England in the 
ships of Sir Francis Drake, June 19, 1586. 

29. Governor White's Colony.— Other efforts of Sir Walter Ral- 
eigh to plant colonies along the coast of North Carolina resulted in 
failure. A colony was .sent over which landed at Roanoke Island 
July 22, 1587, with John White as Governor. Here the first white 
child in America, Virginia Dare, was born August 18, 1587. Governor 
White went to England to secure supplies for the colony. Upon his 
return, in 1590, he found Roanoke Island abandoned, and no trace of 
his colony except the word, " Croatan,'''' which was roughly carved 
on a tree. No trace of this colony has ever been found. Many theo- 
ries have been advanced by modern writers. It was supposed at that 
time that the colony had either removed to a place called " Croatan,'" 
or had been massacred by the Indians. There is some reason to 
believe that they removed to the mountains of Tennessee. Will not 
some pupil who studies this book investigate the history of the ' ' I,ost 
Colony ' ' ? 

30. The Spanish Armada. — The turning point in European his- 
tory, which established the Protestant power in Europe, and decided 
the fate of America, was the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588. 
The Spanish power was broken on land and sea. England rapidly 
became " Mistress of the Seas." Her rights of discovery in America 
were now boldly asserted, and she prepared for extensive colonization. 

3J. Jamestown. — The first permanent English settlement was 
made at Jamestown in 1607. From this germ the settlement of Vir- 
ginia began. Rapidly other English settlements were planted and 

^ The early settlements may be studied more in detail in the histories of North 
Carolina and Virginia, or in the larger histories of the United vStates. Valuable 
information may be obtained in any good Cyclopedia. Especially read Moore's 
School History of North Carolina. 



34 History of Tennessee. 

grew apace. The grant to Virginia extended from the Atlantic to the 
Pacific, then called the "South Seas." Tennessee, although unex- 
plored and unsettled, was thus included in Virginia, and is entitled to 
her share in the honor of the first legislative assembly in America 
and all the glorious colonial history of Virginia ; for the ancestors of 
the Tennessee pioneers played the first act of the drama in the settle- 
ment of America. 



CHAPTER IV. 
THE CONFLICT OF TITLE. 

32. The Three Claimants. — The general claim of Spain to the 
whole of America by right of the discovery of Columbus and by virtue 
of the decree of the Pope, had now come to be ignored by all nations. 
Her claims were recognized only to those portions of America which 
she had explored in advance of other nations. Her claim to Ten- 
nessee rested, therefore, on the explorations of DeSoto. As she was 
inert in prosecuting this claim, although she had not formally aban- 
doned it, the contest narrowed down to England and France. England 
claimed it as a part of her colony of Virginia, but had never explored 
or occupied the country. France ^ claimed it, at first, as a part of her 
province of New France, and subsequently as a part of her province 
of Louisiana. To examine the claim, let us take a short review of 
French exploration and colonization. 

33. French Claims. — Although John Denys had explored the 
St. lyawrence in 1506; and Verrazani, in 1524, and Cartier, in 1535, had 
made explorations, France dared not take immediate possession. In 
1562, a feeble effort was made by French Huguenots to plant a colony 
on the Atlantic coast within the French claim of New France, which 
overlapped the Spanish province of Florida. This effort was made 
not by the French government, but by a private expedition sent out 
by Admiral Coligny under Jean Ribaut, which made a short-lived set- 
tlement at Port Royal. Two years later, another French colony was 
established on the St. John River at Fort Caroline. This colony was 

' Refer to any good history of the United States, and to the Cyclopedias. The 
subject is fully treated in Marbois' History of Louisiana, in Martin's History of 
Louisiana, and in Gayarre's History of Louisiana. 



The Conflict of Title. 35 

massacred by the Spaniards under Menendez. Although the French 
leader, De Gourges, inflicted summary vengeance on the Spaniards, 
yet France abandoned, for the time, all efforts of colonization, and 
England attempted none for many years. 

34. French Begin Colonization After the Defeat of Spanish 
Armada* — In 1604, the French made a settlement at Port Royal. In 
1608 Champlain founded Quebec, which was made the base of French 
operations. French soldiers were sent out to occupy the country. A 
flourishing trade was established with the Indians, the Jesuits were 
sent out to convert the natives to Christianity, and to win them to the 
control of France. It was claimed by France that the rights of 
England extended only from the coast to the Alleghany Mountains, 
including the country drained by the rivers which flow into the 
Atlantic. France claimed the entire valley of the St. Lawrence, and 
sent explorers along the lakes and along the country west of the 
AUeghanies. 

35. French Explore the Mississippi Valley. — In 1673, in pursu- 
ance of the policy previously described, the French began their explor- 
ations along the Mississippi River. Marquet and Joliet descended the 
Mississippi and made maps of the countr3^ They noted many Chick- 
asaw villages, and especially noted the Chickasaw Bluffs. In 1682, 
La Salle made his famous voyage down the Mississippi, claimed the 
country for France, and named it I,ouisiana. He stopped at Chick- 
asaw Bluffs, built a cabin and a fort, to which he gave the name 
" Prud homme," made a treaty with the Indians, and established a 
trading post. Thus, the French erected the first building in Tennes- 
see. Other French trading posts were established among the Indians. 
Among these, was the post of M. Charleville, a French trader who 
built a store at Salt lyick on the Cumberland, where Nashville now 
stands.^ 

36. The French Approach Tennessee from the West. — For a long 
time France and England maintained the struggle for possession of all 
the country extending from the Mississippi River to the Alleghany 
Mountains, embracing, of course, the present State of Tennessee. 
The French had been the most daring travelers, traders, and mission- 
aries in the New World. They discovered the basin of the St. 

^ Marbois' History of Louisiana; Ramsey's Annals of Tennessee, 38, 39; 
Monette ; any good history of the United States. 



36 History of Tennessee. 

Lawrence, and were the first to explore the banks of the Mississippi.^ 
Thus, they approached Tennessee from the west many years before 
the American pioneer had climbed to the top of the Alleghany Mount- 
ains from the east and prepared to descend into the Mississippi Valley. 

37. The French not a ColonUing People. — They made little effort 
to settle the country. They mingled with the native population, and 
assumed, in a large measure, their manner of life. They hoped to 
hold the country for the sake of the Indian trade. To do this, they 
erected a powerful cordon of forts and trading posts, completely 
encircling the English colonies on the Atlantic coast. These they 
located, with marvelous wisdom, at Quebec, Detroit, Chicago, Pitts- 
burg, St. Louis, Memphis, New Orleans, and Mobile, besides numer- 
ous other places varjdng in importance from Yincennes, on the 
Wabash, to the Old French Trading Post, at Nashville, on the Cum- 
berland. 

38. Progress of the English Colonies. — The English in the mean- 
time, were colonizing the country from the Atlantic seaboard west- 
ward. The colonists were a daring and aggressive race of home- 
seekers. While clearing and cultivating their fields, erecting churches 
and schoolhouses, founding towns and cities, and developing trade 
and commerce in the older settlements, they were constantly pushing 
their frontiers further into the wilderness. Their vanguard had 
already reached the foot-hills of the Alleghany Mountains before the 
close of the long struggle between France and England for the 
possession of North America. 

39. The English Build Counter Forts. — The garrisons and 
rangers from the French forts produced disaffection to the English 
among the Indian tribes. As early as 1734, the Province of South 
Carolina recommended that English forts be built among the Indians, 
to counteract the French influence. In 1755 Governor Glenn, of that 
Province, held a treaty with the Cherokees. He obtained from them 
a grant of land upon which to build two forts in their country. Soon 
after the cession he built Fort Prince George, on the headwaters of 
the Savannah, about three hundred miles above Charleston, and within 
gun-shot of an Indian town called Keowee.^ 

40. Fort Loudon Built. — In 1756, the Earl of Loudoun was 
appointed commander-in-chief of the army throughout the British 

' Bancroft's History of the Uuited vStates ( Old Ed.), Vol. IV, pp. 457, 458. 
' Ramsey's Annals of Tennessee, pp. 4S-51. 



The Conflict of Title. 37 

continental provinces in America, as well as governor of the Province 
of Virginia.^ F'oUowing np the concession to Governor Glenn, he 
dispatched Andrew Lewis to build the other fort at the head of navi- 
gation on the Little Tennessee River, in 1756. He located it on the 
south side of the river, within five miles of Chota, the home of the 
eloquent Cherokee chief, Oconostota. It was about thirty miles from 
the present city of Knoxville, and nearly one hundred and fifty miles 
in advance of any white settlement. It was called Fort Loudon^ in 
honor of the first commander-in-chief of the army, and was garrisoned 
by a force of two hundred British regulars. This was the first 
structure erected in Tennessee by Anglo-Americans.^ 

41. Other Forts Built on the Frontiers. — Besides these forts in 
the heart of the Indian country, others were erected on the borders 
of the provincial settlements. North Carolina built Fort Dobbs under 
the shadow of the Alleghanies. Virginia built a fort on the New 
River, called Chissel, and another on the Holston, nearly opposite the 
upper end of Long Island, where Colonel Bird wintered in 1758. 
This latter fort, while for more than twenty years it was believed to 
be on Virginia soil, was really some distance south of its line, and 
was the second Anglo-American fort erected within the boundaries of 
Tennessee.^ 

42. Temporary Settlement of Fort Loudon. — Under the protec- 
tion of these forts, the tide of emigration reached the base of the 
mountains that separate Tennessee from North Carolina. They also 
afforded the daring frontiersman an opportvtnity to gain some knowl- 
edge of the country beyond. A small settlement sprang up under 
the guns of Fort Loudon. It is probable that this would have been 
the first permanent .settlement in the State but for an unfortunate 
affair that occurred immediately after the reduction of Fort DuQuesne. 

43. Massacre of Fort Loudon. — The Cherokees had been the 
friends and allies of the Knglish. They had volunteered to protect 
the American frontier south of the Potomac. Some of them marched 
with the army of the south to Fort DuOuesne. After that decisive 
engagement, they received little attention from their allies. Having 
lost their horses, the neglected Indians supplied themselves with such 

1 Bancroft's History of the United .States (Old Ed.), Vol. IV, p. 228. 
^ Note the spelling. In Fort L,oudon, the u has been dropped. The English 
nobleman in whose honor it was named was the Earl of Loudoun. 
^Ramsey's Annals of Tennessee, pp. 51-53, 66, 85. 
* Ramsey, p. 54. 



38 History of Tennessee. 

as they found running at large, as they returned through the back 
counties of Virginia. The enraged backwoodsmen pursued and put a 
number of the offending warriors to death. ^ The result was, that 
while the victory of Fort DuOuesne brought peace to the northern 
frontiers, this distressing incident plunged the southern provinces into 
the horrors of an Indian war. Forf Loudon was besieged and cap- 
tured, its garrison was massacred, and the permanent settlement of 
the State was delayed for another decade. 

44. The Treaty of Paris, J 763.— The battle of Fort DuOuesne 
was the last stand of France in her struggle for supremacy in America. 
It was followed, in 1763, by the treaty of Paris. By this treaty 
France surrendered to England her claim to all territor}- east of the 
Mississippi River, except the Isle of Orleans. From this time the 
sovereignty of England over the Mississippi Valley was undisputed. 



CHAPTER V. 
ENGLISH TREATIES WITH THE INDIANS. 

45. The King's Proclamation of t763. — -The French, who had 
little desire for the lands of the Indians themselves, never failed to 
warn them against the encroachments of the English, who, they said, 
were determined to occupy their land, and dispossess them of the 
whole country. Accordingly, the Indians viewed ever}'- excursion 
into their hunting ground with dissatisfaction and jealousy. For the 
purpose of removing their apprehensions and quieting their discontent, 
King George issued a proclamation, October 7, 1763, prohibiting all 
provincial governors from granting land, and all British subjects from 
making settlements, west of the sources of the streams which flow 
into the Atlantic. It also prohibited all private purchases of land 
from the Indians.- 

46. Treaty of Aogfusta. — For the purpose of apprising the South- 
ern Indians of the change effected by the treaty of Paris, a congress 
was held with them, at Augusta, in November, 1 763. There were pres- 
ent representatives of the Creeks, Cherokees, Catawbas, Chickasawsand 
Choctaws, on the one side, and the Superintendent of Indian Affairs for 
the Southern District, the Governors of the two Carolinas and Geor- 

^ Ramsey's Anuals of Tenuessee, p. 54 ; Bancroft's History of the United 
States (Old Ed.) Vol. IV, p. 341. 
- Ramsey's Annals, p. 71. 



Treaties with the Indians. 



39 



gia, and the Lieutenant-governor of Virginia, on the other. After 
mutual explanations and promises, a treaty for the preservation and 
continuance of a fair and perfect peace and friendship, was con- 
cluded. * 

47, The King's Proclamation not Observed. — At the close of the 
year 1763, the boundary between the colonies and their Indian neigh- 
bors, was the line that divides the eastern from the western waters. 
But the peace that existed between them rendered the enforcement of 
the King's proclamation impractical, if not impossible. The frontiers- 
men who had seen something and heard much of the beautiful country 
beyond the mountains, were impatient to go in and possess it. They 
were accumulating in companies upon the border from the Mononga- 
hela to the Savannah. Their early descent in force upon the western 
waters was even then seen to be inevitable. At that time the geog- 
raphy of the country was imperfectly understood, as may be seen 
from the annexed map, taken from the tracing of an old map pub- 




An Old Map in 1756, Showing Incorrect Ideas op that Time. 



' Stevens' History of Georgia, Vol. II, pp. 26-29. 



40 History of Tennessee. 

lished in Europe in 1756, and preserved in the archives of the Ten- 
nessee Historical Society. It shows no reason for the failure to 
observe the King's proclamation, but it testifies to the ignorance 
which then prevailed as to the geography of the country, and one of 
the obstacles in the accurate demarkation of treaty lines. 

48. First Grant of Land in Tennessee. — The Holston River, at 
that time, was supposed to be the dividing line between North Caro- 
lina and Virginia. Already, June 20, 1753, John Buchanan had 
received a patent from Virginia for 1,250 acres of land, lying on the 
Indian River, in what is now Sullivan County, Tennessee. This is 
notable as the first grant ever issued to land in Tennessee. It was 
confirmed by the State of North Carolina in 1782,^ After the procla- 
mation of 1763, the Governor of Virginia continued to issue patents 
for lands, not only on the headwaters of the Tennessee, but on the 
Kanawha and Ohio as well. 

49. Treaty of Hard Labor.* — The Indians were restive and 
uneasy. In 1767 the Cherokees asked the governor of North Carolina 
to have a dividing line run between the western settlements of that 
province and their hunting ground. ^ The next year the Superintend- 
ent of Indian Affairs for the South, concluded a treaty with them at 
Hard Labor, in South Carolina, by which the southwestern boundary 
of Virginia was declared to be a line extending from a point about 
thirty-six miles east of Long Island of Holston to Chiswell's Mine on 
the Kenawha, and down that stream to its junction with the Ohio.^ 
But even then the settlements had penetrated beyond this line. 

50. Treaty of Fort Stanwix.^ — In the North , the Six Nations had 
the same fears and misgivings, with perhaps greater reason, that were 
entertained by the Cherokees. They had entered into a negotiation 
with the Superintendent of Indian Affairs about 1765, but it had been 
practically barren of results. In 1768, they demanded that the set- 
tlers be removed from their lands, adding that it had been a long 
time since they first complained of this grievance. The matter was 
presented to the King, and resulted in the treaty of Fort Stanwix, by 
which the Six Confederate Nations and their dependent tribes ceded 



'Acts of 1782, ch. 16; Haywood & Cobb's Statutes, Vol. II, p. 25. Dr. 
Ramsey supposed a grant for 3,000 acres to Edmund Pendleton in 1756, in his 
possession at the time he wrote, was the oldest grant in this State, but the act 
referred to shows Buchanan's to be three j'ears older. See Ramsey's Annals, p, 66. 

' Ramsey's Annals, p. 73 ; * see Map of Indian Treaties. 

^ Ramsey's Annals, p. 76. 



Treaties with the Indians. 41 

to the Crown all the lands lying between the Ohio and Tennessee 
Rivers.^ This was the first cession by Indians, of lands within the 
limits of Tennessee. 

51. Indian Title to the Land Conveyed. — I,earned arguments have 
been constructed to prove that the Six Nations owned the land they 
undertook to convey. It seems to have been forgotten, that less than 
a month before this transaction, the royal government itself had 
recognized the right of the Cherokees to the same territory, in the 
Treaty of Hard lyabor. The fact is, no tribe occupied or held undis- 
puted possession of it. The effect of the Treaty of Fort Stanwix was 
to convey the claim of the Six Nations in the land described. It did 
not prevent the Cherokees from setting up any claim they might have 
to it, inasmuch as they did not claim under the Six Nations. It was 
not improper, therefpre, that the Cherokee claim should be recognized 
and fairly extinguished, notwithstanding the Treaty of Fort Stanwix. 

52. Effect of the Treaties of Hard Labor and Fort Stanwix. — The 

Treaties of Hard Labor and Fort Stanwix had the effect to precipi- 
tate the flood of immigration that had been impending over the valleys 
on the western slope of the mountain. Some historians do not 
mention the former treaty in connection with this inundation, but it 
seems clear, so far as North Carolina and Southern Virginia are con- 
cerned, that it was much the greater factor of the two. It will be 
remembered that the line between Western North Carolina and Virginia 
was quite as shadowy as the Indian title itself. No man knew when 
he had passed from Virginia into North Carolina. Indeed, the first 
settlements made in Tennessee, were supposed to be in Virginia when 
made. Although the line fixed by the Treaty of Hard Labor did not 
include all existing settlements, still, it served to invite the back- 
woodsmen over the mountain, and once over, their progress could 
hardly be stayed by an imaginary line, even more definitely located. 

53. The Treaty of Lochabar. — It was barely two years after the 
treaty of Hard Labor before Virginia held another treaty with the 
Cherokees, in order to purchase more lands on her southwestern 
frontiers. It was held at Lochabar, and was negotiated by Col. John 
Donelson, afterward distinguished in the settlement of Middle Ten- 
nessee. By that treaty, the southern terminus of the line was moved 
west thirty miles, so as to begin six miles east of Long Island of Holston. 
The northern terminus was moved west from Chiswell's Mine to the 

^ Butler's History of Kentucky, Appendix, p. 390. 



42 History of Tennessee. 

mouth of the Kenawha. This line was west of the Watauga River, 
which was then supposed to be in Virginia, and, in consequence of 
the treaty, many pioneers settled lands on that river which they ex- 
pected to hold by their improvements as first settlers, under the laws 
of Virginia. This treaty of Lochabar in 1770 marks the date of the 
first settlement south of the Holston River. 



CHAPTER VI. 

NOTABLE COLONIAL EVENTS IN WHICH TENNESSEE 
HAS AN INTEREST. 

54. As a Part of Virginia. — As previously related, Tennessee 
was included within the limits of Virginia from 1584 to 1663, a period 
of 79 years. The country was unexplored and unsettled, and there is 
no evidence that the foot of any Englishman touched the soil of Ten- 
nessee during this period. The ancestors of the present Tennesseans, 
however, were living in Virginia and Carolina, and were preparing, 
even then, to push their settlements to the west, and to conquer the 
wilderness "across the mountains." Tennesseans, as their descend- 
ants, inherit a share of their colonial history.^ 

55. What Tennessee Inherits from Virginia. — Of the many 
famous events which occurred in Virginia while Tennessee was still 
within her limits, we can mention but a few.^ The first white child, 
Virginia Dare, was born at Roanoke Island, August iS, 1587. The 
first permanent English settlement was made at Jamestown in 1607. 
The interesting events occured which have thrown a halo of romance 
around the names of Capt. John Smith, Pocahontas, John Rolfe, 
Powhatan. In 1619 was held the first legislative assembly in America, 
and slavery was introduced. Ten years after the separation of Virginia 
and Carolina, in 1673, occurred Bacon's rebellion, which was the first 
armed resistance to British oppression. The importance of two of 
the events above named, demands their treatment in separate para- 
graphs. 

^ For Virginia, see the histories of the United States, and of Virginia. For 
North Carolina, see Wheeler's History, Moore's History, and Moore's School 
History. 

'' North Carolina, within whose limits Roanoke Island is situated, was then a 
part of Virginia. 



NOTABI.E Colonial Events. 43 

56. The First Legislative Assembly. — Sir George Yardley, an 
Knglish knight, has been called " The Father of Representative Gov- 
ernment in America," on account of the prominent part which he 
took in securing for the colonists the right of holding a colonial legis- 
lature composed of representatives elected by themselves. The colon- 
ists were governed by a commercial company composed of stock- 
holders, who were then called ' ' adventurers." This company received 
a charter from King James I, under which they claimed Virginia, and 
established colonies, reserving the right to make the laws and to 
appoint all officers for the government of the colonists. Sir George 
Yardley was one of these stockholders, or "adventurers." In 1609, 
he came over to Jamestown as one of the council appointed by the 
London Company. He was soon recognized as the friend of the 
colonists. In 161 6, he became governor in the absence of Sir Thomas 
Dale. He was superseded by Capt. Samuel Argall in 1618, and went 
to England to represent the cause of the colonists. He was so suc- 
cessful in his mission, that the London Company voted to grant 
Virginia the right of self-government, and appointed Sir George 
Yardley as governor-general. He returned to Jamestown, and entered 
upon the duties of his office April 19, 1619. Early in June, he "sente 
his summons all over the countr}^, as well to invite those of the council 
of Estate, that were absente, as also for the election of the Burgesses." 
Then came the first general election. From each of the eleven 
boroughs, or hundreds, or plantations, two delegates, called Bur- 
gesses, were elected. July 30, 1619, this famous assembly convened 
in the old church at Jamestown, representative government was an 
accomplished fact, and Virginia kindled the torch of liberty in America. 
From such ancestors, the pioneers who settled Tennessee learned the 
value of self government, and, in later years, framed at Watauga the 
first government west of the Alleghany Mountains, and the first con- 
stitution made by native Americans.^ 

57. Slavery. — In the same year, 16 19, the first African slaves in 
America were bought by the colonists at Jamestown. It is frequently 
mentioned as a reproach to the South that slavery was introduced in 
a Southern Colony. The answer is ready. In 161 9 there was no 



' See Americau Historical Magazine, Vol. I, No. i, pp. 3-21 (January number, 
1896 ); Genesis of the United States, by Alexander Brown ; The First Republic in 
America, Alexander Brown, chapter 24; Will of Sir George Yardley in American 
Historical Magazine, Vol. I, pp. 98-101 (January number, 1896). 



44 History op Tennessee. 

English colony except Virginia. Slavery could not, therefore, be 
introduced in any other colony, for the reason that there was no other 
colony. In this year a ship, which is sometimes called a Dutch ship, 
landed at Jamestown with a cargo of slaves. From the best testi- 
mony, it was an English ship engaged in the Dutch trade, and, there- 
fore, alluded to as a "Dutch ship." The unfortunate Africans, about 
twenty in number, were objects of pity. Confined in the hold of the 
vessel, and cruelly treated, their condition appealed to the sympathy 
of generous men. The humane heart of Sir George Yardley was 
touched. He bought some of them, and his colonists bought the 
remainder. The unfortunate Africans found homes and friends, and 
hailed their entrance into slavery with joy, perhaps more keen than 
that with which their descendants subsequently hailed their emanci- 
pation. Slavery subsequently spread to each of the thirteen colonies ; 
the commercial sections becoming the dealers, and the agricultural 
sections the purchasers. 

58. As a Part of Notth Carolina* — When Virginia was divided, 
in 1633, Tennessee became a part of Carolina, and so remained until 
1693, a period of thirty years, when Carolina was divided, and Ten- 
nessee became a part of North Carolina. ^ It was a part of North 
Carblina when the first English settlements were made within its 
limits, and when its real history begins. North Carolina is, there- 
fore, usually regarded as the parent State. Tennessee was a part of 
North Carolina when the Lords Proprietors attempted to enforce the 
famous Constitution of John Locke, in 1693. Pupils should examine 
this famous model of government. They will find a conspicuous ex- 
ample of the wisdom of their ancestors which was superior to that of 
the most renowned philosopher of his day. Tennessee shares with 
fNorth Carolina in the honor of the battle of Alamance, fought May 
) 16, 1771, which was the precursor of the Revolution; and in the 
glory of the Mecklenburg resolutions of May 20, 1775, the precursor 
of the Declaration of Independence ; and in the glory of the battle of 
King's Mountain, the most picturesque of battles, and in other battles 
of the Revolution. Pupils should study the annals of our parent 
States, and treasure the history which Tennessee inherits. 

' For charters see Ramsey, Haywood, etc., and Ben I'erle}' Poore's Charters. 
Also see State Histories of Virginia and North Carolina. 



Topical Analysis. 45 

TOPICAIv ANAIvYSIS OF DIVISION II. 
THE COLONIAL RELATIONS. 

I. The European Contest for Possession oe America. 

1. Importance of Contemporaueous History. 

2. Spanish Claims. 

3. Spanish Explorations. 

4. Claims of England and France. 

5. Effects of the Reformation. 

6. Effects of Spanish Armada. 

7. Queen Elizabeth and Raleigh. 

8. English Begin Colonization. 

\a ) lyane's Colony. ( b ) White's Colony. ( c ) Jamestown. 

II. Confi^icT of Titi,e. 

A. The Three Claimants ; Prosecution of their Claims ; French and 

English Active ; Spain Inert. 
I. The French— 

(a ) Extent of their Claims. 
{b) Begin Colonization. 
( c ) Explore Mississippi Valley. 
{d ) Approach Tennessee from the West. 

\e) Not a colonizing people. Build forts and attempt to hold the 
country by military occupation. 

a. The English— 

( a ) Progress of their Colonies. 

( b ) Build Counter-forts. 

( c) Fort Loudon. 

\d) Other Forts. 

{e) Temporary Settlement at Fort Loudon. 

\d ) Massacre of Fort Loudon. 

B. Treaty of Paris, ijOj, Decides the Contest in Favor of England. 

III. EngIvISh Treaties with the Indians. 

1. The King's Proclamation of 1763. 

2. The Treaty of Augusta, 1763. 

3. The King's Proclamation not Observed. 

4. The Treaty of Hard Labor, 1768. 

5. Treaty of Fort Stanwix, 1768. 

( a ) Indian title to land conveyed. 

6. Effects of Treaties of Hard Labor and Fort Stanwix. 

7. Treaty of Lochabar, 1770. 

IV. Notable Coi^oniai, Events in Which Tennessee Has an Interest. 
.1. As a Part of Virginia — 
( a ) Virginia Dare. 

( b ) Early History of John Smith, Pocahontas, etc. 
\ c ) The hrst Legislative Assembly. 
\d^ The Introduction of Slavery. 
{e) Bacon's Rebellion. 

2. As a Part of North Carolina — 

( a ) Constitution of John Locke. 

( b ) Battle of Alamance. 

{c) Mecklenburg Declaration. 

[d) King's Mountain and other Battles of the Revolution. 



DIVISION III. 

HISTORY OF TENNESSEE FROM THE TIME OF ITS 

SETTLEMENT BY THE WHITES TO THE DATE 

OF ITS ADMISSION AS A STATE. 



CHAPTER VIL 
THE PIONEER. 

59. Anglo -American Excursionists Visit Tennessee. — Although 
Tennessee had been included as a part successively of three English 
colonies, 3'et none of them had thought it worth their while to explore 
or settle the country. The settlement was due to no concerted or 
governmental act, but to the agency of the most "unique and pict- 
uresque character of history" — the American pioneer. The term 
" pioneer" may be extended to include the first persons who explored 
or visited the country. It is especially used to designate those who 
made the early permanent settlements. While there had been no 
attempt at settlement, or permanent occupation by the English pre- 
vious to the establishment of Fort Loudon, in 1756, yet there had 
been casual visitors, traders, hunters, and tourists, who had made 
excursions into Tennessee. ^ The names of many of these have been 
lost to history, but a few have been preserved by the early historians. 

60. The Traders. — Perhaps the first English travelers who vis- 
ited Tennessee were attracted by the hope of gain in trade. In 1690, 
a trader from Virginia, named Doherty, visited the Cherokees. In 
1730. Adair, from South Carolina, made an extensive tour, visiting 
the Cherokees and other tribes. Dr. Ramsey says of Adair: "He 
was not only an enterprising trader, but an intelligent tourist. To 
his observations upon the several tribes which he visited we are 
indebted for most that is known of their early history. They were 
published in 1775." In 1740 a party of traders from Virginia visited 
the Cherokees. This party employed Mr. Vaughan as packman. 
There were, doubtless, many other traders of whom history makes no 

'See Ramsey's Annals of Tennessee, pp. 62-77; Haywood's History of Ten- 
nessee, pp. 38-51 ; Monette, Adair, Imlay, Roosevelt's Winning of the West, Vol. I, 
pp. 101-165. 



The Pioneer. 



47 



mention. Many advantages resulted from this irregular trade. It was 
found to be lucrative, and led to important results. The returning 
traders gave glowing accounts of the wonderful resources and fertility 
of the western country, and the abundance of game, which excited a 
lively interest among the eastern colonists. 

61. The Hunters. — Following the traders, came the hunters, 
sometimes in company with a trading party, and sometimes in separate 
bands. Historians have recorded a 

few of these hunting excursions. 
"As early as 1748," says Dr. Ram- 
sey, quoting from Monette, " Dr. 
Thomas Walker, of Virginia, in 
company with Colonels Wood, Pat- 
ton, and Buchanan, and Captain 
Charles Campbell, and a number of 
hunters, made an exploring tour upon 
the western waters. Passing Pow- 
ell's Valley, he gave the name of 
' Cumberland ' to the lofty range of 
mountains on the west. Tracing 
this range in a southwestern direc- 
tion, he came to a remarkable depres- 
sion in the chain ; through this he 
passed, calling it 'Cumberland Gap.' 
On the western side of the range he 
found a beautiful mountain stream, 
which he named 'Cumberland 
River,' all in honor of the Duke of 
Cumberland, then Prime Minister of 
England." In 1760, a Virginia 
company of hunters, composed of 
"Wallace, Scags, Blevins, Cox, and 
fifteen others," spent eighteen months in a hunting excursion along 
Clinch and Powell rivers. 

62, Daniel Boone. — In 1760 the famous Daniel Boone visited 
Tennessee at the head of a party of hunters. It is conjectured by 
Dr. Ramsey that this was not Boone's first visit to Tennessee, although 
it is the first that has come to the knowledge of historians. In testi- 
mony of this visit. Dr. Ramsey gives in his history an inscription cut 
by Daniel Boone on a beech tree, " standing, in sight and east of the 




Daniel Boone's Tree. 



48 History of Tennessee. 

present stage road leading from Jonesboro to Blountville, and in the 
valley of Boone's Creek, a tributary of Watauga." This tree and 
inscription is shown in the annexed picture, engraved from a photo- 
graph in the Tennessee Historical Society. There is no doubt of the 
genuineness of the inscription, but doubts have been expressed as to 
whether it was carved by Daniel Boone. Daniel Boone visited Ten- 
nessee again in 1771, and remained until 1774.^ Many other hunting 
parties prepared the way for the advent of the pioneers of permanent 
settlement. 

63. The First Negro. — In 1768^ an expedition of hunters trav- 
ersed the country from the banks of the Holston, in East Tennessee, 
to the Ohio River at the mouth of the Tennessee River, passing along 
the banks of the Cumberland River, and giving the name to Stone's 
River. The party consisted of Colonel James Smith, William Baker, 
Uriah Stone, for whom Stone's River was named, and Joshua Horton. 
The last-named member of the party, Joshua Horton, had with him 
"a mulatto slave," eighteen years old, whose name is not given. 
Judge Haywood states that Mr. Horton left this mulatto boy with 
Colonel Smith, who carried him back to North Carolina.^ 

64. The Approach of the Pioneer.— In 1763, the period of nearly 
five generations of men had passed since the settlement of Jamestown 
in 1607. A new generation now dominated the colonies who w^ere 
Americans by birth, and distinctly American in thought, character, 
and habit. This differentiation in colonial character was, however, 
largely restrained by the influence of English governors, by constant 
contact with English laws and institutions, and by the influx of fresh 
immigrants who continued to pour in from the mother country. 
Along with this stream of immigrants came the "Scotch Irish." 
This latter element inherited the clannish spirit which prompted 
them to keep together. They earl}^ evinced the desire to found set- 
tlements in which they should ])e the controlling element. This ten- 
dency, together with their resolute character and adventurous spirit, 
constantly prompted them to move further west. Thus, the Scotch 

^Iiiilay, pp. 343, 344. See Imlay's Index, under "Boone." Francis Bailey, 
an Englishman, visited Tennessee and Kentucky in 1796-97, and wrote a journal 
of his travels. This journal was published in England in 1846, entitled "A Tour 
in the Unsettled Parts of North America." He gives an interesting account of 
the country, and records a meeting with Daniel Boone on the Ohio River. 

^Haywood says it was in 1766, but as " the Indians had then latelj' ceded " 
their lands by the treaty of Stanwix, which was concluded in 1768, this expedition 
could not have been earlier than that date. 

^See Haywood's Civil and Political History of Tennessee, p. 49. 



The Pioneer. 49 

Irish immigrants formed a large element in the vanguard of the west- 
ern march of colonization, which their descendants continued to push 
further and further westward. This hardy band of pioneers was now 
ready to cross the mountains. The way had been prepared by the 
Treaty of Paris in 1763, by which the title of France had been ceded 
to Kngland, and by the various Indian treaties above named. 

65. The First Settlers in Tennessee Largely Scotch-Irish. — The 
Holston and Watauga were not colonized, as the Cumberland after- 
ward was, by strong companies moving in concert, under organized 
leaders. Their first settlers came in single families or small par- 
ties, with no concert of action, and without au}^ recognized leader. 
The Virginia frontiers had now reached the headwaters of the Hol- 
ston River, and straggling immigrants followed that stream beyond 
the borders of the province, and formed the first settlements in Ten- 
nessee; supposing their settlements to be still in Virginia, some 
families even crossed the Holston. In 1769 or 1770, William Been,^ 
originally from Pittsylvania County, Virginia, penetrated as far south 
as the Watauga, and erected a log cabin at the mouth of Boone's 
Creek, where his son Russell, the first native white Tennessean, was 
soon afterwards born. His settlement was greatly augmented by the 
arrival of small bands of Regulators, whom the tyranny of the roj-al 
governor had driven out of North Carolina. But whether they came 
from Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, or Pennsylvania, the 
first settlers of Tennessee were, in the main, the same type of people — 
an aggressive, daring, and hard}- race of men, raised up in the faith of 
the Presbyterian Covenanter, and usually comprehended under the 
general designation of Scotch-Irish, that people forming their largest 
element. 

66* Origin of the Scotch-Irish. — Ireland, in the time of Henry 
VIII, was so strongly Catholic that all the power of that monarch was 
not sufficient to establish the Episcopacy on the island. His effort to 
do so resulted in a long-, bitter, and bloody war, which was not finally 
terminated until near the close of Elizabeth's reign. When it did 
close, the province of Ulster, containing nearly a million acres, was 
found to have been almost depopulated b}^ its devastations. James 
IV, of Scotland, succeeded to the throne, and in him the two king- 
doms were united. He conceived the idea of colonizing Ulster with 
Protestant subjects. These he chose chiefly from his old subjects, the 

'William Been sigued his name as given in the text. His son, Russell, the 
first white child boru in Tennessee, signed his name, Russell Bean. 



5© History op Tennessee. 

Scotch Covenanters, though man}^ Englishmen settled in the southern 
part of the province. 

67* Character of the Scotch-Irish. — These Scotch emigrants were 
stern, strict, liberty-loving Presbj'terians, who believed in the West- 
minster Catechism and taught it to their children. They resented 
the pretensions of the Crown to be the head of the church, and believed 
with John Knox that the King derived his authority from the people, 
who might lawfully resist, and even depose him, when his tyranny 
made it necessary. They believed in education, and followed a sys- 
tem under which every preacher became also a teacher, a circumstance 
that had a marked influence on the educational history of Tennessee. 
The colony prospered wonderfully. But these Scotch-Irish as stead- 
fastly resisted the Episcopacy as did the Irish Catholics, and were 
destined to suffer a like persecution. As early as 1636 some of them 
set sail on board the "Eagle Wing" for America, but unfavorable 
weather sent her back to port in a disabled condition, and the experi- 
ment was not again repeated for half a century. 

68. The Great Ulster Exodus, — Their persecutionscontinued, with 
the exception of a short respite under the reign of William of Orange. 
Finally, in the latter part of the seventeenth century, the great exodus 
began. It reached its flood-tide near the middle of the eighteenth cent- 
ury. For some time prior to 1750, about twelve thousand Irish emi- 
grants had annually landed in America. In the two years following the 
Antrim evictions in 1771, as many as one hundred vessels sailed from 
the north ports of Ireland, carrying from twenty-five to thirty thousand 
Scotch-Irish Presbyterians, mostly to America. Their experience in 
Ireland had peculiarly fitted them to lead the vanguard of western 
civilization. Their hereditary love of liberty, both civil and religious, 
was strengthened by a long course of persecution and oppression. 
Moreover, the constant presence of danger from their turbulent neigh- 
bors had made them alert, active, resolute, and self-confident. 

69. The Scotch-Irish Settle on the Frontiers. — The Scotch-Irish 
reached the interior of America in two streams. The earliest and 
largest poured into Pennsylvania through the ports of New Castle 
and Philadelphia, whence it moved southward through Maryland and 
Virginia, up the Potomac and Shenandoah valleys, and along the 
Blue Ridge into North and South Carolina. There it met the counter 
stream flowing in from the south, mostly through the port of 
Charleston, but in smaller numbers through those of Wilmington and 



Thk Pioneer. 51 

Savannah. i\ll along the frontiers, from Pittsburg to Savannah, they 
interposed themselves as a conscious barrier between the sea-board 
settlements and their Indian foes.^ 

70, The Scotch-Irish in America. — The Scotch-Irish were every- 
where a masterful people. In Pennsylvania they were not regarded 
with favor. In 1725 the president of the province described them as 
bold, though rude and indigent strangers, who frequently sat down on 
any vacant land without asking questions. He expressed the fear 
that, if they continued to come, thej^ would make themselves proprietors 
of the province. They were always jealous of their liberties, and ready 
to resist oppression with blood. In North Carolina they have made 
two counties famous — Mecklenburg for the first Declaration of Inde- 
pendence, and Orange for the battle of the Alamance. ^ 



CHx'lPTER VIII. 

THE WATAUGA ASSOCIATION. 

71. The North Holston. Settlement. — The first settlements in 
Tennessee, as we have seen, were but extensions of the frontier set- 
tlements of Virginia. They lay north of the Holston River, in what 
is now Sullivan County. Lying east of the Indian line established b}^ 
the treaty of lyochabar, they received the protection of Virginia, 
under whose laws they lived, and whose authority they supported, 
until the Walker-Henderson line of 1779 showed them to be in North 
Carolina. The leading family of the North Holston settlement was 
the Shelbys. Gen. Evan Shelby, who settled at King's Meadows, was 
a famous woodsman, and figured prominently iu the Indian wars on 
the border. His son. Col. Isaac Shelby, distinguished himself at the 
battle of King's Mountain. He afterwards went to Kentucky, and 
became the first governor of that Cominrnwcalth. 

^In 1738 the Synod of Pennsylvania, iipnn ll.c applicaliou ( f John Caldwell, 
the grandfather of the great statesman, Jolm Caldwell Calhouu, sent a coniniission 
to the Governor of Virginia with a proposal to people the valley west of the Blue 
Rigde with Presbj'terians, who should hold the western frontier against the 
Indians, and thus protect the colony, upon condition "Ihattliey be allowed the 
liberty of their consciences and of worshiping God in a way agreeable to the prin- 
ciples of their education." — Scotch-Irish in ^linerica, First Coi!a;rcss, p. iij. 

-On the subject of the Scotch-Irish in America, and particularly in Tennessee, 
see the Life of George Donnell, by President T. C. Anderson. See also the pro- 
ceedings of the Scotch-Irish in America, at their various congresses, the first of 
which was held at Columbia, Tennessee, in 1879. 



52 



History of Tennessee. 



72. The Cartcr^s Valley Settlement.— There was another settle- 
ment north of Holston, known as the Carter's Valley Settlement, in 
what is now Hawkins County. It was, also, believed to be in 
Virginia, but was beyond the Indian line. Its people acknowledged 
the jurisdiction of Virginia, but being on the Cherokee lands, were 
deprived of its protection. Carter's Valley took its name from John 
Carter, one of its first settlers, who afterward became prominent in the 
Watauga settlement. These two settlements lived, during all the 
historic life of the Watauga Association, under the laws of Vir- 
ginia, and had no other connection with the South Holston settle- 
ments than that of near and friendly neighbors, who stood in common 




v_->' 



Map of the Watauga 
Settlements, Showing the Pup- 
posed Virginia Line. 



STAT£ BOUNDARIES 

BOUNDARIES OF PURCHASES 



SCALE OF- MIUES 



peril from the Indian wars which commenced with the first struggles 
for American independence. (See map.) The only distinctive Tennes- 
see history from 1769 to 1779, was made by the people south of the 
Holston River. 

73. South Holston Settlements.— There were two South Holston 
settlements; Watauga, on the Watauga River, and Brown's, on the 
Nollichucky River. The latter was just being planted when the 
Watauga Association was formed in 1772, and took no part in its 
organization. It was founded by Jacob Brown, a native of South 



The Watauga Association. 



53 



Carolina, who distinguished himself both in the Indian wars, and at 
King's Mountain. 

74. James Robertson. — The first decade of Tennessee history- 
centers in the little settlements on the Watauga River, of which James 
Robertson was the most distinguished member. Robertson was a 
native of Brunswick. County, Virginia, but in his youth moved with 
his parents, John and Mary (Gower) Robertson, to Orange County, North 
Carolina. He had just reached manhood when the Regulators began 
an organized resistance to the oppressions of the royal government. 
He had neither wealth nor education, but his native talent, his resolute 
spirit, and his inspiring manner were such that he could neither have 
been an indifferent spectator in the stirring scenes of the first 3'ear of 
the Regulators, nor could he have passed unnoticed through them. 

75. Robertson Determines to Leave North Carolina. — During the 
year or more of quiet dejection following the dispersion of the Regu- 
lators in the fall of 1768, Robertson determined to seek a home beyond 
the reach of British oppression. Accordingly, in the spring of 1770, 
he found the beautiful valley of the Watauga, where he accepted the 
hospitality of one Honeycutt, raised a crop of corn, and returned for 
his family and friends. On the track- 
less mountain he lost his way, and 
would have perished but for the prov- 
idential relief afforded by two hunt- 
ers who chanced to discover him 
when his strength was fairly ex- 
hausted from hunger and fatigue. 

76. Robertson^ the Father of 
Tennessee. — Robertson was not the 
first to settle on the banks of the 
Watauga. Perhaps that distinction 
is properly accorded to William 
Been. It is certain Robertson found 
Honeycutt there on his first arrival. 
But he has been justly called the 
" Father of Tennessee " in recogni- 
tion of his eminent services to its infant settlements. It is true, his 
name is more intimately linked with the history of the middle portion 
of the State, but his public services here antedate the settlement of the 
Cumberland Valley by a period of nearly ten years ; during this time 
he was the leading spirit of the Watauga settlements, where he proved 




Brigadier-General James Robertson, 
" Father of Tennessee." 



54 History of Tennessee;. 

himself in every way worthy of the affectionate title he has received. 
He had an elevation of soul that enabled him to take upon himself 
the burden of the whole community. He was wholly unconscious of 
self. He never sought popularity, nor honor, nor position. If there 
was a service too humble to attract the ambitious, a post so perilous 
as to make the brave quail, or a duty so difficult as to fill every other 
heart with despair, that service or post or duty was accepted as a 
matter of course by James Robertson. And his head was so cool and 
clear ; he had such a brave, resolute and devoted spirit ; and his vigi- 
lance was so alert and active, that success followed him like the bless- 
ings of a special providence. 

77. The Watauga Settlers Ordered off. — By the spring of 1772, 
when the first political organization in the State was effected, the 
Watauga settlement numbered many families. Some of them, as we 
have seen, had settled there in consequence of the treaty of L,ocliabar, 
believing that they were within the limits of Virginia. But in 1771, 
Anthony Bledsoe made an experimental survey from Steep Rock to 
Beaver Creek, which clearly indicated that the Virginia line would not 
fali south of the Holston River. This was followed, in 1772, by a treaty 
between the authorities of Virginia and the Cherokees, making the 
Indian line on the south identical with the line between Virginia and 
North Carolina. Under this treaty, Alexander Cameron, an agent of 
the royal government, residing among the Cherokees, ordered the 
Watauga settlers to move off. 

78. The Indians Intercede for the "Wataoga Settlers.— His order 
placed the Watauga settlers in a most critical situation. Hitherto, 
they had relied on Virginia. Now, they found themselves without 
laws, and beyond the protection of any organized government. ^ Being 
on Indiafl^nd which was controlled by the Crown, .they were without 
the jurisdiction, as they were physically beyond the protection, of 
North Carolina. They could not obtain title to their lands, either 
from the Indians or from the protnncial government. FS^unately for 
them, a profound peace existed between the colonists and the Southern 
Indians. When the British agent ordered them to move back, some 
of the Cherokees expressed a wish that they might be permitted to 
remain, on condition that they should not encroach beyond the lands 
they then held. After that, no further effort was made fo remove 
them . ' 

79. Settlers Form an Association.— At this juncture a conven- 
tion of the settlers was called to consider their anomalous condition, 



Thu Watauga Association. 55 

and to devise means for its improvement. They never thought of 
abandoning their homes. They said they were " too inconveniently 
situated to remove back," and besides, they were " unwilling to lose 
the labor bestowed on their plantations. ' ' They determined to do two 
sensible things: (i) To form a government of their own for the 
administration of justice in their settlement; and (2) to lease for a 
number of years the lands on which they lived, conceiving that the 
King's proclamation of 1763, prohibiting them from buying the land 
from the Indians, did not extend to a leasing. ^ 

80. Waf auga Adopts the First Written Constitution in America. — 
Accordingly, they entered into a written association and articles for 
the government of the settlement, which was the fir.st written consti- 
tution adopted by the consent of a free and independent people in 
America.^ The instrument itself has not been preserved. Every 
member of the settlement signed the Constitution. They adopted 
for their government the laws of Virginia, and not those of North 
Carolina. A court, consisting of five magistrates, having a clerk and 
a sheriff, were appointed to administer the law under the Constitution. 
This government continued until the beginning of the Revolution, in 
1775, when it was merged into "Washington District. 

8J. Land Leased from the Indians. — A form of government be- 
ing now established, and magistrates appointed, steps were immedi- 
ately taken to secure the settlers in the possession of the lands they 
had so recently been notified to vacate. James Robertson and John 
Bean^ were appointed to negotiate a lease from the Cherokees. They 

^ Petition of the inhabitants of Washington District, Ramsey's Annals of 
Tennessee, p. 134. 

''■ Compare Ramsey, p. 107 ; Kelly, in Proceedings of the First Scotch Irish 
Congress, p. 153; Allison, in Proceedings of the Seventeenth Meeting of the Ten- 
nessee Press Association, p. 27 ; Roosevelt^s Winning of the West, Vol. I, p. 184; 
Caldwell's Studies in the Constitutional History of Tennessee, p. 27. See also, 
Dunmore to Dartmouth, May 16, 1774 ; Bancroft's History of the United States 
(first edition), Vol. VI, p. 401, note. 

'^ The first mention of these commissioners is found in "A vSummary Notice of 
the First Settlements Made by White People within the Limits which Bound the 
State of Tennessee," published in the Massachusetts Historical Collections (second 
series), Vol. VII, p. 59, and reprinted in the American Historical Magazine, Vol. 
II, p. 17. The sketch was written in 1816, by Moses Fisk, a citizen of Tennessee, 
of whom the most complete published account will be found in the Life of Jeffer- 
son Dillard Goodpasture, p. 18, ct seq. Fisk says the commissioners were Robert- 
son and John Bean. Haywood manifestly gets the account in his Historj' of Ten- 
nessee, p. 55, from Fisk, whom he follows closely, often verbally. But by a typo- 



56 History op Tennesske. 

assembled the Indians near their own settlement, and for the sum of 
five or six thousand dollars in merchandise leased all the land lying 
on the waters of the Watauga, for a period of ten^ years. Afterwards, 
in 1775, following the precedent set by Henderson & Co., in their 
"great Transylvania purchase, ^ the Watauga people bought their lands 
in fee simple. 

Jacob Brown made a similar lease, and purchased on the Nolli- 
chucky. John Carter also met the Indians at Sycamore Shoals, and 
obtained a deed to Carter's Valley, partly as an indemnity for a store 
destro3'ed by the Indians some years before, and also for an additional 
consideration, which Carter was enabled to raise by admitting Robert 
Lucas to the firm. The accompanying map, page 52, shows the 
boundaries of each of these private purchases. 

82. The First Geographical Division Named for Washington. — 
The Watauga Association never had, nor sought a political connection 
with North Carolina until she declared her independence of Great 
Britain. Its people had lived in peace under their own government 
from 1772 to 1775. When the conflict between Great Britain and her 
colonies began in that year, the united settlements on the Watauga and 
NoUichucky formed themselves into Washington District. This was 
the first geographical division in the United States, named for the 
Father of his Countr}-. 

83. Washington District Supersedes Watauga Association. — Hav- 
ing formed themselves into Washington District, they appointed a 
Committee of Safety. This was a kind of provisional government 
generall}^ adopted by the colonies. Their Committee of Safety was 
composed of thirteen members, of whom Col. John Carter was made 
Chairman. The Committee resolved to adhere to the Continental 
Congress, and acknowledged themselves to be indebted to the united 
colonies for their full proportion of the Continental expense. ^Imme- 

graphical error, no doubt, the second commissioner's name was written John Boon. 
This error has been repeated by all subsequent historians who have followed Hay- 
wood's authority. We correct it from the authority on which Haywood himself 
relied. 

'Haywood, following Fisk, says the lease was for "eight" years, but the 
Petition of the Inhabitants of Washington District, set out at length in Ramsey's 
Annals, p. 134, et seq., which is undoubtedly the best authority on the subject, 
says it was for " /^« ' ' years. 

^ See map of Indian treaties; Report of Bureau of lithnology for 1883-1884, 
p. 147; Ramsey, pp. 109-111. 

^ The "Petition and Remonstrance" of the people of Washiugtou District, 
praying to be annexed to North Carolina, is given in full in Ramsey's Annals, 



Washington District. 57 

diately after the Declaration of Independence, in 1776, Washington 
District presented a petition to the Provincial Council of North Caro- 
lina, praying to be so annexed to that province as to be enabled to 
share in the glorious cause of liberty. ^ 

CHAPTER IX. 
WASHINGTON DISTRICT. 

84. The Transition Period. — The recognition of the Washing- 
ton District by North Carolina is frequently alluded to as the "Annex- 
ation to North Carolina." Strictly speaking, there was no anjiexa- 
tion, but simply a recognition. The Watauga Settlement had always 
been within the jurisdiction of North Carolina, although the State 
had not asserted or exercised control. No formal act was passed by 
the lyCgislature of the State, annexing or recognizing the Association, 
or the District. The recognition was made in November, 1776, by 
admitting Charles Roberson, ^ John Carter, John Hall, and John Sevier, 
as delegates from Washington District. The period which elapsed 
between the recognition of Washington District by seating its dele- 
gates in the North Carolina Assembly, in 1776, and the date of the 
actual exercise of jurisdiction by establishing Washington County, 
November, 1777, may be called the transition period. It was during 
this transition period that Washington District was subjected to the 
severe ordeal of a formidable Indian invasion. 

^^, The First Indian War. — On account of their distance from 
the coast and the absence of means of transportation, the Brit- 
ish forces could not make a direct attack on the settlements about 
Watauga. Neither during the Revolutionary War, which was then 
waging, nor at any subsequent time, has the foot of a foreign invader 
ever touched the soil of Tennessee. The British, however, found a 
means of reaching the Western settlers. They formed an alliance 

pp. 134-138, and in Putnam's History, pp. 45-48. Read the names of the signers, 
and note the number who signed their own names, and how few made their mark 
as a signature. 

^ Those desiring further information on the organization of the Watauga Asso- 
ciation are referred to the American Historical Magazine, Vol. III., p. 103, et seq., 
where the snbject is discussed more in detail. For an admirable discussion of the 
"Watauga Commonwealth," see Roosevelt's Winning of the West, Vol. I., Chap- 
ter 7 ; Putnam, pp. 45-49; Ramsey, pp. 134-140. See also Caldwell's Studies in 
the Constitutional History of Tennessee. 

^ Spelled according to his own signature. His commission from Gov. Blount 
spells the name " Robertson." 



58 History of Tennessee. 

with the neighboring Indian tribes, whom they incited to war. These 
formidable savages threatened the destruction of the pioneer settle- 
ments. The pioneers now armed to protect their own firesides, and 
to repulse the Indians from moving against the rear of the eastern 
settlements of North Carolina. This work was bravely and success- 
fully performed, and earned them the honorable title of "the Rear- 
Guard of the Revolution." 

56* Nancy Ward. — Early in the summer of 1776, information 
was received through Isaac Thomas and William Falling, to the effect 
that the Indians were gathering in force to invade the settlements in 
Washington County. This information came from Nancy Ward, an 
Indian woman, who was friendly to the Americans, and who has been 
called "The Pocahontas of the West." 

87. Nancy Ward^s Statements Confirmed. — The intelligence 
conveyed by Nancy Ward was confirmed by concurrent testimony. 
Jarrett Williams, just from the Cherokee villages, made an affidavit 
giving direct evidence. A letter was mysteriously left by a stranger 
at the house of Charles Robertson, which appeared to be a circular 
letter written by Henry Stuart, who was a deputy of Captain John 
Stuart, the British Superintendent of Indian Affairs for the Soutli^ 
evidently intended for distribution among the tories. This letter gave 
notice that the southern country would be invaded by his Majest3''s 
forces, aided by the Indian allies, and called on all loj^al subjects to 
cooperate with the movement. A trader named Robert Dews, who 
returned from a trading excursion, made oath that the Indians were 
assembling for war ; that the Cherokees had received a letter from 
Cameron that the Creeks, Chickasaws, and Choctaws would unite with 
the Cherokees for a general invasion of the southwestern settlements, 
and that the British were supplying them with arms, ammunition, 
and stores. 

88. Preparations for Defense. — The dangerous intentions of 
Great Britain could no longer be doubted, and the pioneers began 
active preparations for defense. Forts were built and garrisoned 
at Gillespie's, Heaton's, Beaver Creek, Womack's and other points. 
The Virginia and Tennessee settlements concentrated plans for their 
mutual defense, and called into service all their military force. 

89. The Indian Invasion. — -Scarcely had time been given for the 
hasty preparation, when information arrived that the Indians were 
approaching. Couriers were dispatched in every direction to warn 
the inhabitants. Many of these couriers took rides as rapid and far 



Washington District. 59 

more perilous than that of Paul Revere, but their names have not been 
preserved in history, nor celebrated in song or story. Most of the 
people took refuge in the fortified stations, but a few remained in their 
homes, and were subjected to brutal outrages by the invading Indians. 
Among those captured, was Mrs. Been, the wife of the first settler, 
William Been, and mother of the first white child born in Tennessee, 
Russell Bean. She was taken from her home, near Watauga, and 
carried as a prisoner to the Indian villages, where .she was condemned 
and ordered to be burned, when Nancy Ward, "The Pocahontas of 
the West," interfered, and saved her life. 

90. The Battle of Island Flats. — The invading force of Indians 
consisted of about seven hundred warriors, divided into two parties* 
each numbering between three and four hundred men. One party 
moved against the fort at Watauga, and the other against Heaton's 
Station. The fort at Heaton's Station was located about six miles 
above the junction of North Fork and Holston rivers, and near L/Ong 
Island. The low islands stretching along the Holston, just above 
lyong Island, Were known as the " Flats." .Fort Heaton was defended 
by a force of about one hundred and seventy men, consisting of five 
small companies, mostly from Virginia, commanded, respectively, by 
Captains James Shelby, William Buchanan, John Campbell, William 
Cocke, and Thomas Madison, with Captain James Thompson in chief 
command. Being informed by their scouts, July 19, 1776, that the 
Indians were approaching, a council was held. Capt. Cocke repre- 
sented the danger to which many of the inhabitants were exposed 
who had not been able to take refuge in the fort, and urged that the 
garrison should march out to meet the enemy. The garrison, accord- 
ingly, marched to Island Flats, and encountered the Indian force under 
their chief, Dragging Canoe, July 20. After a severe conflict, the 
Indians were routed, with a loss of more than forty killed, in addition 
to the wounded, while the loss of the pioneers was only five wounded 
and not a man killed. 

9 J. Incidents of the Battle of Island Flats. — In this battle, dis- 
tinction was gained by Capt. James Shelby, Lieutenant Robert Davis, 
Robert Edmiston, and John Morrison. Isaac Shelby, who afterwards 
became famous, was a volunteer, but issued an order, without 
authorit}^ which was promptly obeyed, and was instrumental in 
gaining the victory. Here occurred one of those desperate individual 
conflicts, so characteristic of Indian warfare. Lieutenant Moore, of 
Sullivan County, had shot one of the Cherokee chiefs, an Indian of 



6o 



History of Tennkssee. 



gigantic size, but not so as to disable him. They rushed upon each 
other, Moore with his hunting knife, the Chief with his tomahawk. 
After a desperate struggle, the Chief was thrown to the ground and 
killed, whereupon the Indians retreated. 

92. Attack on Fort Watauga. — The garrison at Fort Watauga 
consisted of about forty men, commanded by Captain James Robertson, 
with lyieutenant John Sevier second in command. A number of fugi- 
tives, women and children, had taken refuge in the fort. Horses, 
cattle, and such valuables as could be moved, had been brought to the 




Battle of Fort Watauga. 

fort for protection. On the day after the battle of Island Flats, July 
21, 1776, the second division of the Indian force, somewhat more than 
three hundred strong, commanded by Old Abraham of Chilhowee, 
reached Watauga about sunrise, and immediately^ attacked the fort. 
They were repulsed with severe loss, the amount of which could not 
be accurately ascertained, as the Indians bore oif their dead and 
wounded. After the repulse the Indians rapidly retreated. 

93. Incidents of the Battle. — On the morning of July 21st, the 
women, in accordance with the good old pioneer custom, began at 
daybreak their daily task of milking the cows. Suddenly the alarm 



Washington District. 6i 

was given that the Indians were approaching. A rush was made for 
the fort. History has failed to record the details, but we may well 
imagine that some of the women attempted to save a few favorite cows 
by driving them into the fort. Perhaps this delay gave time for a 
party of Indians to approach. We know that the Indians pursued the 
flying women, and fired upon them, fortunately without effect. One 
of the most beautiful and charming of mountain maidens has become 
separated from the others. She is cut off from the entrance, 3'et she 
does not depair. Blithe, active, and swift of foot, she runs like the 
frightened doe, and makes for the nearest point of the fort. But, 
nimble and swift as she is, the athletes of the forest are close behind, 
and gain upon her steps. 

A handsome, manly oihcer is giving orders to his men, when he 
hears a cry, and turns to behold this thrilling race. He rushes to the 
rescue. He springs upon the stockade just as the breathless maiden 
reaches it below. With one hand he shoots down the foremost of her 
pursuers, while with the other he assists her in the leap over the 
stockade. "Bonnie Katie Sherrill " surmounts the breastworks and 
falls exhausted in the arms of John Sevier. So says trustworthy tra- 
dition. It was not long before "Bonnie Katie Sherrill" was Mrs. 
John Sevier.^ 

94. The Invasions Continue. — In addition to their two main col- 
umns, the Indians had organized two other formidable armies to fol- 
low up the invasion. One of these, under the command of Raven, 
learning of the result of the battles at Island Flats and Watauga, 
and finding that the inhabitants had taken refuge in strong forts, 
withdrew after committing ravages. The fourth party invaded the 
settlement at Carter's Valley, dividing into small parties and laying 
waste the country. One of these parties attacked Rev. Charles Cvim- 
mings and four white men. After a skirmish, in which one white 
man was killed, the Indians withdrew. 

95. The Southern States Combine. — The plans of Great Britain 
had now come to be understood. The Southern States perceived that 
it was the purpose to destroy the western settlements which had 
served as the "rear-guard," and then to invade all the Southern 
States from the West. They determined to make a concerted move- 
ment in force to invade the homes of the hostile Indians. Accord- 
ingly, Col. William Christian, with a Virginia force, reinforced by 
North Carolina troops under Col. Williams and Major Winston, moved 

'Putnam, p. 52; Roosevelt, Vol. i, p. 292; Rear Guard of the Revolution. 



62 History of Tennessee. 

to attack the Cherokee towns. Simultaneously, Gen. Rutherford, 
with 2,400 North Carolina troops, moved along the route since known 
as Rutherford's trace. Col. Williamson, with a strong force from 
South Carolina, assailed the Keowee towns of the Senecas, and the 
towns of the Cherokees east of the Unaka Mountains. Col Leonard 
McBury, with a Georgia force, invaded the Indians along the Tuga- 
loo, and penetrated westward. All these expeditions were successful. 
The Indians were defeated wherever they offered resistance. Many 
of their towns were destroyed, and their country laid waste. Pros- 
trated and humiliated, they sued for peace. Truce was granted by 
the several commanders, and it was agreed that arrangements should 
be made for a meeting of representatives to establish a general treaty 
of peace. 

96. Avery's Treaty^ or the Treaty of Long; Island. — As the 
result of the events above narrated, two treaties were made; one at 
De Witt's Corner with commissioners from South Carolina and Geor- 
gia, the other at Fort Henry near Long Island in the Holston River, 
with commissioners of Virginia and North Carolina. The two States 
entered into separate treaties with the Indians. The treaty in which 
we are interested is styled: "Articles of a Treaty of Peace, Made 
and Concluded at Fort Henry, on Holston River, near the Long 
Island, July 20, 1777, between the Commissioners from the State of 
North Carolina on Behalf of the said State of the One Part, and the 
Subscribing Chiefs of That Part of the Cherokee Nation Called the 
Overhill Indians of the Other Part," This treaty provides that 
peace shall forever exist between the contracting parties ; and that all 
prisoners of war shall be released ; prescribed regulations for inter- 
course and trade between the whites and Cherokees, and for the adju- 
dication of controversies ; and designates the boundaries between 
them, somewhat extending the area of the lands leased by the settlers, 
in 1772, and subsequently purchased in 1775.^ James Robertson was 
appointed Indian agent by the Commissioners, to reside with the Cher- 
okees, for the purpose of putting the treaty into successful operation. 

^See paragraph 81, ante; Map of Indian Treaties; Haywood, pp. 501-514. 



Topical Analysis. 63 



TOPICAL ANAI.YSIS— CHAPTERS VI I TO IX. 

I. The Pioneers. 

A. J^isitors — 

I. Explorers. (2) Traders. (3) Hunters, Daniel Boone, the 
first Negro. 

B. Sdtlers^ 

I. Anglo-Americans Approach from the Ivast. 
3. The Scotch-Irish. («) Their Origin. [h) Character, (r) 
Exodus from Ulster, [d ) Their characteristics in America. 

II. The Watauga Setti^ements. 

A. North Holston. 

B. Carter's Valley. 

C. South Holston. (a) Watauga, (h) Brown's. 

I. William Been and his Cabin, 1769. 

3. James Robertson. 

3. Watauga Settlers Ordered oif. 

4. Adopt Written Constitution. 

5. I^ease Lands from Cherokees. 

6. Jacob Brown Leases Lands. 

III. Washington District, 1776, 1777. 

A. First Geographical Division named in honor 0/ George Washington. 

B. Supersedes Watauga Association. 

C. Petitions North Carolina for Annexation to the State. 

D. Recognized as Part of North Carolina by Admission of Delegates 

in Legislature. 
!^. Transition Period. 
F. Indian Wars. 

1. Incited by Great Britain — Purpose to destroy the western 

settlements and then invade the eastern colonies. 

2. Information received from Nancy Ward, the "Pocahontas of 

the West," and confirmed by other testimony. 

3. Preparations for Defense. 

4. The Invasions — 

( a ) Dragging Canoe defeated at Island Flats. Retreats. 
( b ) Old Abraham of Chilhowee repulsed at Fort Watauga. 

Incidents of the battle. Captures Mrs. Been. 
{d) Raven's Indian force moves to Holston River, and 

retires. 
{e) h. fourth Indian army invades Carter's Valley, ravages 

the country and retires. 

5. The Southern States combine and invade the Indian country 

with strong armies. 

6. Avery's Treaty, or the Treaty of Fort Henry, near Long 

Island. 



64 History of Tennessee. 

CHAPTER X. 
WASHINGTON COUNTY. 

97. North Carolina Asserts Jurisdiction. — In November, 1777, the 
General Assembly of North Carolina asserted jurisdiction over her 
western territory by forming Washington District into Washington 
County, with boundaries co-extensive with the present State of Ten- 
nessee. The new county was made a part of Salisbury Judicial Dis- 
trict. Courts of justice were established. Civil and military officers 
were appointed, land offices were opened, and the county organization 
was completed. 

98. Military Preparations. — The militia was organized for defense 
against the Indians, and John Carter was appointed Colonel of Wash- 
ington County. Companies of rangers were sent out to protect the 
country against the incursions of the Indians. This wise precaution 
brought security to the settlers against petty marauding parties of 
Indians. Bodies of "Tories" who had been driven from the more 
thickly settled portions of North Carolina committed depredations 
upon the settlements. These were restrained by the military authori- 
ties, and by Vigilance Committees, and brought before the courts and 
tried for " toryism." ^ 

99. Influx of Population. — The State granted land to the settlers 
on very favorable terms, as will appear in the following quotation from 
the History of Tennessee by John Haywood, the father of Tennessee 
history : "at the rate of forty shillings per hundred acres ; each head 
of a family was permitted to take up six hundred and forty acres for 
himself, and one hundred acres for his wife and each of his children. 
The law was so worded as not to oblige the Watauga people to enter 
and pay for their occupancies until January, 1779 ; and then for any 
surplus entered above the quantity before mentioned, the purchaser 
was required to pay five pounds per hundred. Great numbers of 
persons came to Holston from the eastern parts of North Carolina to 
enter land."- 

JOO. The Immig-rants. — The above quotation from Haywood 
shows the cheapness of the lands, and how the title to them was 
obtained. The following quotation from Ramsey shows the character 

^Ramsey, pp. 177, 181. 

^See Haywood's Civil and Political History of Tennessee, chap. 2, pp. 69, 70. 



Washington County. 65 

of the pioneers: "The facility of taking up the choice lands of the 
country induced great numbers of persons, principally those without 
means, to emigrate to the frontier. A poor man, with seldom more 
than a single pack-horse on which the wife and infant were carried, 
with a few clothes and bed quilts, a skillet and a small sack of meal, 
was often seen wending his way along the narrow mountain trace, with 
a rifle upon his shoulder, the elder sons carrying an axe, a hoe, some- 
times an auger and a saw, the elder daughters leading or carrying the 
smaller children. Without a dollar in his pocket when he arrived at 
the distant frontier, the emigrant became at once a large land-holder. 
Such men laid the foundation of society and government in Tennessee. 
They brought no wealth with them, but, what was far better, they had 
hardihood and enterprise, and fearlessness and self-reliance. With 
such elements in the character of its pioneers, any community will 
soon subdue the wilderness to the purposes of agriculture."^ 

101. Development. — The early pioneers had traveled on horse- 
back and on foot. The scanty articles of comfort, and the few work- 
ing tools which they imported, were carried on their persons, or on 
pack-horses. They followed trails which had been ''blazed'" by hun- 
ters or previous travelers. No road for vehicles had been opened, 
and there were no adequate means of transportation. As soon as 
they were well settled in their new homes, they began to turn their 
thoughts to the improvement of their condition. Thej^ felt the need 
of some means of transportation to connect them with the outside 
world. The first effort at internal improvement was the appointment 
of commissioners by the Legislature to lay off a road from the Court 
House of Washington County extending into Burke County. Says 
the historian : "After that road was opened, emigrants of larger prop- 
erty began to reach the countr}^ and the settlements assumed the 
appearance of greater thrift and comfort."^ 

102. 1779. — The year 1779 was pregnant with events of impor- 
tance to the pioneers of Washington Count}-. 

The Indian chief, Dragging Canoe, who had refu.sed to take part 
in the Treaty of Holston, established a force of banditti, 1,000 strong, 
with headquarters at Nickajack Cave, and began a series of depreda- 
tions. The expedition of Evan Shelby was made to destroy this 
rendezvous. Sullivan County was formed. The Cherokees became 
hostile. Campbell, Sevier, and Shelby invaded their territory. 

^ See Ramsey's Annals, pp. 175, 176. 
'^Ramsey's Annals, p. 176. 



66 History of Tennessee. 

The capture of Savannah, in 1778, followed by the defeat of Gen- 
eral Ashe in 1779, opened communications with the Indians, and 
renewed their hostilities. James Robertson, with a party of pio- 
neers from the Watauga, began the permanent settlement of Middle 
Tennessee at French Lick on the Cumberland, now Nashville; John 
Donelson began his famous voyage on the Tennessee and Cumberland 
rivers ; Jonesboro, the first incorporated town in Tennessee, was laid 
off, and established as the county-seat of Washington County ; the 
courts having been previously held at the house of Charles Rober- 
son ; and the Commissioners of Virginia and North Carolina began 
the location of the boundary line. 

103. The Expedition of Evan Shelby, — This expedition was un- 
dertaken under the authority of Virginia and North Carolina, and 
consisted of one hundred and fifty men under Col. Montgomery, with 
three hundred and fifty men under Col. Evan Shelby, the whole expe- 
dition being under the command of Col. Shelby. This movement 
had been rendered necessar}- by the depredations of the lawless bands 
of Indians associated with a few white renegades, who had settled 
along the banks of the Tennessee River, and had formed an associa- 
tion of pirates or banditti for the purpose of robbing boats which were 
beginning to navigate the river, and the further purpose of invading 
the white settlements. The villages which the}- inhabited were known 
as the Five L,ower Towns — Running Water, Nicajack, Long Island, 
Cow Town, and Look Out. Their famous stronghold was Nic-a-jack 
Cave. Col. Hamilton, the British Governor at Detroit, had, through 
his agents, accumulated a store of goods valued at $20,000, which 
had been placed in the vicinity of these towns to be distributed to the 
neighboring Indians, who had been calkd to attend a council, at 
which it was proposed to enlist them to invade and destroy the Ten- 
nessee settlements. Col. Shelby foiled the purpose of the British by 
capturing their stores, burning eleven Indian villages, destroying the 
crops of the Indians, and prostrating their resources.^ 

104. A Dangerous Crisis. — The Revolutionary War had now 
as.sumed a phase which threatened danger to the Tennessee settlers. 
The British commanders had decided to invade the countr}- from the 
south. Savannah had fallen, and the siege of Charleston was con- 
templated. The Indians had become the allies of the British. The 

^Read full account in Haywood, Ramsey, and other historians. Evan Shelby 
was the father of Isaac Shelby, who was the first governor of Kentucky. 



The Cumberland Settlement. 67 

feeble western settlement could hardly cope with their Indian 
enemies. What must be the result when these savages were rein- 
forced with strong bodies of British troops? The sequel will be 
told in future chapters. In the meantime, the fearless settlers pur- 
sued their plans. They calmly continued the location of the bound- 
ary line, and the extension of their settlements on the Cumberland. 
At the same time that they maintained their ground as the "Rear- 
Guard of the Revolution," the}' threw forward into the wilderness the 
"Advance-Guard of Western Civilization."^ 



CHAPTER XII. 
THE CUMBERLAND SETTLEMENT. 

105. Early Visitors. — On March 17, 1775, the Cherokees ceded 
to Henderson & Co. the land known as the Transylvania Purchase, 
which extended between the Kentucky and Cumberland rivers. "- 

This treaty was not recognized as valid, either by the British 
government or by the States of Virginia and North Carolina. Never- 
theless, the Henderson Compan}- sent pioneers to occupy the country 
which they claimed. Daniel Boone and others were among the pio- 
neers. (As early as 176S Isaac Lindsay, Uriah Stone, and others 
visited the Cumberland River, and gave the name of one their part}' 
to Stone's River. )^ In 1769 John Rains, Kaspar Mansker, Abra- 
ham Bledsoe, John Baker, Joseph Drake, Obediah Terril, Uriah 
Stone, Henry Smith, Ned Cowan, and others, made extensive 
explorations, and, among other places, they visited the Cumberland 
country. Members of this party made subsequent visits to the coun- 
try. Their names are retained in " Drake's Pond," " Drake's Lick," 
"Bledsoe's Lick," "Mansco's Lick," "Stone's River," etc. There 
were other visitors at times previous to the permanent settlement. 

106. Thomas Sharp Spencer. — Among the most noted of these 
early pioneers was Thomas Sharp Spencer. He came in 1776, and 

^The pupil should read in this connection two interesting books by J. R. Gil- 
more — "The Rear-Guard of the Revolution," and the "Advance-Guard of Wert- 
ern Civilization." These works present a vivid picture, but should be read with 
caution, as they are not reliable in matters of fact. 

^Haywood; Ramsey's Annals, p. 191, and especially Putnam's History of 
Middle Tennessee, pp. 62, 63; also Report of Bureau of Ethnology, 1883-1884, 
pp. 148, 149. 

^ Compare ^^63. 



68 History of Tennessee. 

remained until the arrival of the permanent settlers in 1779. Many 
anecdotes are related of him which border on the marvelous. He 
was said to have been a man of gigantic size and strength. He had 
an immense foot. It is related that a hunter, chancing to see Spencer's 
footprint in the mud, fled in terror. He remained in the Cumberland 
country at one time with only one companion. It is said of him: 
" When this last comrade concluded to return home, Spencer decided 
to remain. He accompanied his comrade for a short distance, and in 
parting, divided with him his scant}^ store, and broke in half the 

only knife in the Cum- 
berland country, giving 
the comrade one part 
and himself retaining 
the other. He then re- 
turned to his camping- 
ground, and lived in a 
large hollow sycamore 
tree." "Spencer's 
Choice," in Sumner 
County, still bears his 
name. By a singular 
mistake of the "father 
of Tennessee history," 
some confusion has 
arisen in regard to 
Spencer's name. Judge 
Haywood unfortunately 
inserted a comma at the 
wrong place, and wrote : 
"Thomas Sharp, Spen- 
cer, and others. ' ' This 

Spkncer's Tree. - . •.. 

seemed to indicate two 
men, Thomas Sharp, and another named Spencer. Later historians 
copied the mistake. Mr. John Carr, author of " Early Times in Mid- 
dle Tennessee, ' ' being himself a pioneer, was personally acquainted with 
Spencer. He relates many stories about him, and gives his name cor- 
rectly.^ 

J07. Other Noted Pioneers, — ^John Holliday was Spencer's friend 
and companion. Captain Demonbreun, a Frenchman, hunted in this 

iSee Ramsey, p. 192; Haywood, pp. 81, 82; Putnam; Carr; American His- 
torical Magazine, Vol. I, pp. 199-201. 




The Cumberland Settlement. 69 

country as early as 1775. He bore an important part in the early 
settlements, and lived in Nashville until 1823. One of the streets of 
Nashville is named in honor of him. Richard Hogan, William Bowen, 
John Duncan, James Ferguson were noced pioneers. In 1778, a settle- 
ment of less than a dozen families was formed near Bledsoe's lyick. 
"About the same time a number of French traders advanced up the 
Cumberland River as far as the ' Bluff, ' where they erected a trading 
post and a few log cabins." Richard Hogan, Spencer, HoUiday, and 
others, planted corn near Bledsoe's Lick in 1778. Dr. Ramsey called 
this the "first plantation in Middle Tennessee." 

108, Nashborough. — The way was now cleared for permanent 
settlement. In 1779, a band of adventurers from Watauga, led by 
James Robertson, the father of Tennessee, reached the Cumberland 
River early in the spring. James Robertson, George Freeland, Will- 
iam Neely, Edward Swanson, James Hanley, Mark Robertson, Zacha- 
riah White, and William Overall, accompanied by a "negro fellow," 
constituted the party. Soon after their arrival, they were reinforced 
by another party, led by Kaspar Mansker. The names of this latter 
party are not given by the early historians. They laid the founda- 
tion for the settlement by planting corn, and returned home to bring 
their families, leaving Overall, White, and Swanson to guard their 
crops from the ravages of wild animals. 

J09. The Permanent Settlement, — Early in the winter of 1780, 
the settlers above named returned from Watauga, and were joined by 
"John Rains and others," the entire party numbering from two to 
three hundred. ^ The winter of 1780 is famous as the " cold winter.'' 
The colonists were subjected, during their journey, to much incon- 
venience and suffering on account of the cold and snow, and found 
the Cumberland River frozen over. Most of the party crossed the 
river and settled along the bluffs where Nashville now stands. Others, 
among whom was Amos Eaton, remained on the east side, and founded 
Eaton's Station. John Rains settled on Brown's Creek. The colony 
was strengthened by the arrival of a party from South Carolina. 
Amongthese, were John Buchanan, Alexander Buchanan, Daniel Will- 
iams, John Mulherrin, James Mulherrin, Sampson Williams, and 
Thomas Thompson. ^ 

no. Awaiting their Families. — While actively at work, hewing 
down trees, building cabins, and making preparations for permanent 

' Ramsey, pp. 1S4-195 ; Putnam's, pp. 66, et seq. 
^ Ramsey, 196 ; Putnam, 66. 

3 



70 History of Tennessee. 

residence, the settlers were anxiously awaiting the arrival of their 
families. When they left Watauga, they had provided, as they thought, 
a safer and more pleasant mode of transportation for their women and 
children. They decided themselves to march on foot through the 
wilderness, expecting to encounter danger, toil and privation. They 
wished to spare their families this toilsome journey. They, therefore, 
constructed vessels, on which, they placed their women and children 
and weaker members of the party, under the protection of a strong 
escort commanded by Col. John Donelson. This little fleet also 
afforded the means of transporting a few articles of comfort or luxur)^ 
for which no other means of transportation could be provided. 

ni. The Voyage. — Fortunately for history. Col. John Donel- 
son kept a diary, in which is recorded the events of this remarkable 
voyage. This journal is headed as follows : 

"Journal of a voyage, intended by God's permission, in the good 
boat Adventure, from Fort Patrick Henry, on Holston River, to the 
French Salt Springs, on Cumberland River, kept by John Donelson." 

The narrative begins December 22, 1779, when " The good boat. 
Adventure," left Fort Patrick Henry. After much delay, caused by 
"excessive hard frosts, the Adventure was joined at the mouth of 
Cloud's Creek by sundry other vessels bound for the same voyage." 
February 27, 1780, the little fleet started on the voyage which was 
destined to incur unexpected dangers. A complete account is given 
by Col. Donelson of the perils of the voyage, the atttack by the 
Indians, and the unforeseen dangers and discomforts of pioneer navi" 
gation, especially in passing through Mussel Shoals. Finally, the fleet 
arrived April 24, 1779, "at our journey's end at the Big Salt Lick, 
where we have the pleasure of finding Capt. Robertson and his 
company." 

n2. The Cumberland Fleet. — The fleet of Donelson, which 
accomplished the first navigation of Tennessee and Cumberland rivers, 
came nearer than any other flotilla to being the State navy. While 
its exact relation to the Cumberland Colony was not accurately defined, 
it was, at least, a flotilla of thirty or forty vessels engaged in public 
service, and used in hostilities with the Indians. Posterity should 
honor the names of those who accomplished this famous voyage. They 
are given by Col. Donelson, as follows : John Donelson, Sr., Thomas 
Hutchings, John Caffery, John Donelson, Jr., James Robertson's wife 
and children, Mrs. Parnell, M. Rounsifer, James Cain, Isaac Neelly, 
Jonathan Jennings, Benjamin Belew, Peter Looney, Capt. John Blacke- 



-^ >• 













.T 




72 History of Tennessee. 

more, James Renfroe, William Crutchfield, Mr. Johns, Hugh 

Henry, Sr., Benjamin Porter, Mrs. Henry, Frank Armstrong, Hugh 

Rogan, Daniel Chambers, Robert Cartwright, Stuart, David 

Gwin, John Boyd, Reuben Harrison, Frank Haynie, Maxwell, 

John Montgomery, Daniel Dunham, John Cotton, Thomas Henry, 
Mrs. Cockrill, John White, Solomon White, Solomon Turpin, John 

Gibson, Isaac I^anier, Payne (killed). There were other names 

not put down, women, children, and servants.^ 



CHAPTER Xn. 
GROWTH OF THE CUMBERLAND SETTLEMENTS. 

113. Preparing for Government. — Six days were allowed for the 
rejoicings over the arrival of the Donelson voyagers, the reunion of 
families, and the installment of the new comers in their homes. On 
the seventh day, May i, 1780, the settlers entered upon the stern dutj- 
of inaugurating a government for the Cumberland settlements. In 
taking this wise action, they were moved by the natural instinct of 
all Anglo-Saxon peoples, which has made them, wherever found, con- 
.stitution-makers, law-makers, and abidersof law and order. In addi- 
tion to this, their situation demanded prompt and decisive measures. 
The}' were beyond the reach of any organized government. They 
were, says Ramse}-, " Equi-distant from the most warlike and fero- 
cious tribes on this continent, tribes that had frequently wasted the 
frontiers of Carolina, Virginia, and Pennsylvania with tomahawk and 
fire, and were now aided in the unnatural alliance of Great Britain, 
by the arts and treasures of the agents of that government." Their 
position rendered them peculiarly exposed to attack from the Indians 
of the North, and the Indians of the South. Their fears were quick- 
ened by the presence of a large hunting party of Delawares, who 
encamped on a branch of Mill Creek, a few miles south of Nash- 
borough. 

n4. The Cumberland Articles. — In addition to the considera- 
tions above mentioned, the presence of Col. Richard Henderson, under 
whose purchase from the Indians the settlers claimed title, rendered 
a public meeting important. The meeting was held at Nashborough 
(now Nashville) May i, 1780, and entered into "Articles of Agree- 
ment," or " Compact ofiGovernment." The assembly then adjourned 

^ See Putnam, pp. 75, 76; Ramsey, pp. 202, 203. 



Growth of the Cumberland Settlements. 73 

to meet May 13, 17S0, at which tune additional articles were adopted, 
and the entire instrument was signed by the white male settlers. 
Two hundred and fifty-six names were signed, nearly all in the hand- 
writing of the signers. In the printed copy published in Putnam's 
History only one signature by mark is found. ^ 

115. The Character of the Articles. — This was the second con- 
stitution framed by the Tennessee settlers, nearly all of whom were 
native Americans. Unfortunately the first constitution adopted by 
the Watauga settlers was lost, and we can judge of its features only 
by such meager evidence as we can glean from the institutions which 
were established under it. Thanks to the researches of Mr. Putnam, 
we have the Cumberland Compact before us. In point of literary 
merit it compares favorably with any constitution that was ever writ- 
ten. In point of fitness to its purpose, it is a model of jurisprudence. 
It is framed with consummate wisdom, and is exactly adapted to the 
environments of the pioneers. 

n6. Sonie Features of the Compact. — It establishes a tribunal 
of twelve members, with certain judicial, legislative, and executive 
functions, which are limited and defined. It distributes the member- 
ship of this tribunal, or court, equitably between the eight stations, or 
settements, viz.: Nashborough 3, Gasper's 2, Bledsoe's i, Asher's i, 
Stone's River i, Freeland i, Eaton's 2, Fort Union i. 

It confers the elective franchise on all free men over the age of 
twenty-one years. It makes careful provisions for the entry of lands, 
for the registration of land titles, and for the descent of lands, and 
takes care to bind Richard Henderson and his Land Company as par- 
ties to the compact. It provides for the administration of justice in 
civil and criminal cases. It renders justice accessible by instituting 
inferior courts, and courts of appeal. It binds all by a solemn agree- 
ment to abide by the decisions of the Cumberland Courts, and to re- 
nounce all right of appeal to North Carolina. 

It adopts regulations for " the common defense and general wel- 
fare." It makes all males over sixteen years of age subject to mili- 
tary duty, and in consideration thereof confers on them the right to 

' This remarkable document was lost for many years. It was found in 1S46 
in an old trunk, which had once belonged to Col. Robert Barton, who had been in 
his lifetime one of the "Notables," and to whose custody this valuable relic had 
evidently been entrusted. The first page was destroyed, and second torn, but the 
remainder was in good condition and legible. To Mr. A. W. Putnam, the histo- 
rian, belongs the credit of the discovery. See Putnam's History of Middle Ten- 
nessee, pages 84-103. 



74 History op Tennesseje. 

hold real estate. It confers on each station the power to elect its own 
military officers, and empowers these officers to enforce military dis- 
cipline, and impress horses for military service. It provides for a 
commission to assure the General Assembly of North Carolina of 
"the felicity and attachment to interests of our country, and obedi- 
ence to the laws and constitution thereof." The commission is fur- 
ther instructed to express the desire of the Cumberland settlers to 
meet their ratable share of the expenses of the war, and the other 
expenses of government, to explain that the present organization is 
made to provide for the exigencies of their exposed position, and to 
petition the government of North Carolina to establish this country 
as a county of the State, and afford it aid and protection. 

117. Government under the Compact. — Immediately after the 
adoption of the compact, the government was put into operation. 
The militia was organized by the election of the following officers: 
James Robertson, colonel; John Donelson, lieutenant-colonel; Rob- 
ert IvUcas, major ; George Freeland, James Mauldin, Isaac Bledsoe, 
John Blackemore, James I^eiper, Andrew Buchanan, and John Rains, 
captains. 

The tribunal provided for in the compact is generall}^ styled 
"The Court and Government of Notables." It was probably organ- 
ized promptly, and entered at once upon its functions. It is certain 
that the rights of marriage were solemnized by its members. James 
Robertson performed the first marriage ceremony, uniting in marriage 
Captain James lyciper and his wife. Mr. James Shaw married four 
couples in one day. "We have circumstantial evidence of other func- 
tions exercised by the "Notables," yet so careless were our ancestors 
that no record exists of the proceedings to January 7, 1783. On that 
day the court consisted of James Robertson, George PVeeland, Thomas 
Molloy, Isaac Linsey, David Rounsevall, Heydon "Wells, James Maul- 
ding, Ebenezer Titus, Samuel Barton, Andrew Ewin. James Robert- 
son was elected chairman, John Montgomer}^ sheriiT, and Andrew 
Ewin, clerk. It was decided to pay the clerk for his services, and 
afterwards the records were better kept. It seems that the court had 
fallen into disuse, and the records show that it was revived January 7, 
1783.1 

nS. The Dark Days. — Instigated and aided by the agents of 
Great Britain, and impelled by feelings of hostility to those whom 
they regarded as intruders upon the hunting grounds which they had 

^ Putnam, p. 170, 



Growth of the Cumberland Settlements. 75 

so long held sacred from human habitation , the Indians began a series 
of invasions and depredations. The fate of the Cumberland settle- 
ments trembled in the balance. They were invaded by Indians from 
the North, and Indians from the South. The block-houses and forts 
which they had erected saved them from destruction. Within these 
block-houses they could resist the attacks of invading parties, but 
they were constantly subjected to the fire of lurking foes, to such an 
extent that they could not venture out to cultivate the crops, and 
starvation began to stare them in the face. In addition to this, their 
ammunition began to fail, and there was no means within reach to 
replenish the supply. In this crisis, James Robertson made a perilous 
journej^ to the East to procure ammunition. 

119. Ffceland Station. — The Renfroe settlement on Red River, 
above Clarksville, had been destroyed by the Indians, and other stations 
had been abandoned. Many of the settlers had returned to the East. 
Deeply discouraged, the remaining pioneers were contemplating the 
abandonment of the Cumberland. At this juncture, Colonel Robert- 
son returned from the East with a supply of ammunition, January 15, 
1 78 1. He was joyfully welcomed at Nashborough, where he remained 
for a few hours, and went to spend the night with his family at Free- 
land Station. He was just in time. That very night Freeland Sta- 
tion was attacked by a band of Chickasaws. Robertson's timel}' 
arrival saved the garrison. The presence of the Indians was not 
suspected, and the gate to the fort had not been fastened. The sur- 
prise was complete. It so happened, however, that Colonel Robert- 
son had not retired. He heard the Indians around the garrison, and 
fired upon the advancing foe. Sleeping alwaj^s with their rifles with- 
in reach, the garrison was speedily rallied. After a severe fight the 
Indians were repulsed, and the sound of the swivel at Nashborough 
announced that relief was coming. The Indians retired, carrying 
their dead and wounded with them. In this attack the gallant Major 
Robert Lucas, who has already been mentioned as having joined Col- 
onel John Carter, in the purchase of Carter's Valley in 1775, was 
killed, and also Colonel Robertson's faithful negro servant. The 
force of the Indians has been variously estimated from fifty to two 
hundred. After their repulse they moved about the vicinity, com- 
mitting depredations. 

120. Result of the Battle of Freeland.— This was the last battle 
with the Chickasaws. Soon afterwards Colonel Robertson held an 
interview with Opiomingo, the Chickasaw Chief, and entered into an 



76 History of Tennessee. 

alliance by which the Chickasaws were detached from British inter- 
ests, and were ever afterwards the cordial and faithful allies of the 
Cumberland colonists. The Chickasaws had become inflamed against 
the Cumberland settlers on account of the occupation by General 
George Rogers Clark of a fort within the territory which they claimed. 
This cause of enmity was removed by the intervention of Colonel 
Robertson, and the Chickasaws were appeased. Moreover, they were 
the ancient, implacable enemies of the Cherokees, with whom the 
Cumberland settlers were at war, and readily entered into friendship 
with those who were at war with their hereditary enemies. 

Freed from invasion by the formidable tribe, the colonists en- 
joyed a brief respite. Yet, they were by no means free from hostili- 
ties. Roving bands of Indians — Cherokees, Chickamaugas, Creeks 
from the South, Shawnees, Delawares, Wyandots from the North — 
committed depredations, fired from ambush, waylaid travelers, and 
kept the settlers in continual alarm. During this period many colo- 
nists lost their lives by the tomahawk and rifle. 

121. The Battle of the Bluffs. — This irregular warfare was 
followed by the best concerted and most formidable invasion made by 
the Indians. During the night of April i, 1781, an Indian force 
reached the vicinity of the Bluffs unobserved. There they secreted 
themselves and remained undiscovered until the following morning, 
April 2d. The strength of this force is variously estimated. Ramsey 
is content to call them ' ' a numerous body . ' ' ^ Other historians estimate 
them at from five hundred to one thousand. Historians generall}- 
credit this attack to the Cherokees, although there is reason to, believe 
that it was a concerted movement, in which many tribes were engaged, 
some of them being Northern tribes. This battle is full of romantic 
incidents. The Indians had, with wonderful secrecy, encompassed 
the fort during the night. Early the next morning thc}^ sent three 
Indians forward, who fired on the fort and retreated. Unaware that 
a strong force was investing the fort, a party of more than twent}^ 
horsemen, probably led by Colonel Robertson, pursued the savages to 
their cover. At a point which is now the corner of College and 
Demonbreun streets, they encountered a large body of Indians. Dis- 
mounting from their horses they formed on foot and charged the 
enemy in front. Suddenly a large force of Indians broke cover from 
a position on the flank and rear of the whites, and rushed forward to 
capture the horses. 

' Ramsey's Annals, p. 452. 



Growth of the Cumberland Settlements. 



77 



Still another strong body of Indians, who had lain in ambush, 
rushed forward with yells, and intervened between the sallying party 
and the fort. At this critical juncture the dogs, a large number of 




t^\^ ^f: .\fA «<. 




, , / 



■'P/'^^.. 



Battle of the Bluffs. Charge of the Dogs. 

which had been confined in the fort, were turned loose upon the 
Indians. It is related that the gate was opened for them, and they 
were incited to attack the Indians by Mrs. Robertson, who, in the 



78 History of Tennessee. 

moment of desperation, was inspired to this novel expedient by 
noticing the excitement of the dogs. Their furious onset was as suc- 
cessful as Hannibal's famous charge of the yoked oxen. The noble 
animals rushed straight upon the Indians, and sprung at their throats. 
Disconcerted at this unexpected onslaught, the Indians turned to 
their own defense. Meanwhile the other party of Indians had become 
scattered in pursuit of the horses, which had taken fright and were 
running loose. 

Taking advantage of the opportunity, the small party of whites 
who had been cut off passed through the gap in the Indian lines, and 
most of them reached the fort in saftey. There was some further 
fighting, which ended in the repulse of the Indians, They continued 
the investment until the next day, when they were joined by re-in- 
forcements, and seemed contemplating an attack by storm. A well 
directed fire from the swivel, loaded with pieces of iron, terrified them, 
and caused their immediate retreat. 

J22. Incidents of the Battle. — Col. Robertson probably made no 
written report of the battle, certainly none which has come down to 
history. The accounts of historians are gathered from various 
sources, and are somewhat conflicting. On the main points they all 
agree. The complete surprise, the ambush of the charging party, 
and their miraculous escape, the flight of the horses, and the charge 
of the dogs, though variously narrated, maybe regarded as authentic. 

This battle is remarkable for the number of instances of individ- 
ual gallantry. In fact, the deeds of individual heroes recall the fights 
around the walls of Troy. Among those who especially distinguished 
themselves were John Buchanan, Alexander Buchanan, James lyeiper, 
Samuel Barton, and Isaac L,ucas. The following were killed : Peter 
Gill, Alexander Buchanan, George Kennedy, Zachariah White, and 
James Leiper. Among the wounded were James Manifee, Joseph 
Moonshaw, Isaac I^ucas, Edward Swanson, and Samuel Barton.^ 

J 23. The Guerrilla Warfare. — The Indians now abandoned the 
plan of besieging the fortified places, and instituted a guerrilla warfare, 
which proved exasperating and fatal. They aimed to drive the 
settlers from the country by rendering their residence insecure, and 
preventing them from following the pursuits of agriculture. They 

^ This is oue of the most interesting of Indian battles. Students should 
read the following works, where it is described more in detail than the limits of a 
school-book will permit: Haywood's History, pp. 1 17-120; Ramsey's Annals, pp. 
452-455 ; Putnam, pp. 129-138 ; Rear Guard of the Revolution, pp. 34-41. 



Growth oi<' the Cumberland Settlements. 



79 





Indians Attacking a Pioneer Cabin at Night. 



sent small detachments to lurk in ambush to kill all who were unpro- 
tected, to watch the cornfields, murder the laborers, destroy the 
crops, capture 
the horses and 
cattle. This 
species of war- 
fare led to man}' 
romantic ad- 
ventures, and 
the history of 
this period is 
full of wonderful 
personal feats, 
hair-breadth es- 
capes, a n d in- 
stances of pa- 
tient fortitude. 
The settlers be- 
came discouraged, and contemplated abandoning the settlements. 
J24. The Cooncil — 1782, — In this year affairs had assumed a 
gloomy aspect. Many of the settlers had been slain by the Indians, 
and others had returned to the East ; many of the stations had been 
abandoned, and others were so weakened as to be untenable ; agricul- 
ture had been nearly destroyed, and there seemed no avenue of indus- 
try ; life and property were insecure, starvation seemed to threaten. 
A general council was called to consider the proposition of abandon- 
ing the Cumberland. This proposition was strongly favored by many 
of the best men. Robertson was firm, and he was strongly supported 
by Andrew Ewin, Anthony Bledsoe, Isaac Bledsoe, Isaac Lindsay, 
Thomas Molloy, George Freeland, Samuel Barton, Daniel Smith, and 
others. Robertson, in a forcible address, admitted the dangers and 
discomforts of the present, but he drew a vivid picture of the future. 
He pointed out that the Revolutionary War was practically ended, 
that with its close the Indians would lose the alliance and aid of the 
British, while the colonists would receive accessions in wealth and pop- 
ulation from the influx of soldiers who would come to occupy their 
bounty lands. He appealed to ever}' motive of pride and patriotism, 
and urged them to * 'FigJit it out here. ' ' He ended b}' declaring that he 
would be the last man to leave. His strong sense and eloquence pre- 
vailed. The settlers caught his spirit, and went back to their fields 



8o History ok Tennessee. 

with renewed confidence and energy, determined to ''fight it out.'' 
Robertson's predictions were ultimately verified, but Fate was still 
holding in reserve many trials which would test the manhood of the 
pioneers. 

125. Effect of the Preliminary Treaty of Peace. — When it be- 
came known that a preliminary treaty of peace between Great Britain 
and the United States had been signed at Paris, November 30, 1782, 
the Cumberland people hailed it with joy. Now that the Indians 
would no longer be incited to war and aided by Great Britain, they 
hoped for a respite from Indian hostilities. In this they were disap- 
pointed. The British did, indeed, cease from active support of the 
Indians, but the}^ took no measures to restrain them. The Indians 
had become inflamed against the Cumberland settlers, and had 
acquired the habit of invading their country. They continued the 
guerrilla warfare, though less actively than before. On the wdiole, the 
affairs of the Cumberland began a steady improvement. Not only 
were the hostilities of the Indians somewhat relaxed, but the settlers 
had acquired more skill in Indian gvierrilla warfare, and were better 
organized for military operations. The deeds of such scouts as Buch- 
anan, Castleman, Rains, David Hood, Thomas Sharp Spencer, and 
others have rarely been surpassed in romance, and are illustrious in 
history.^ 

We must now leave the Cumberland settlers for a while, and turn 
to note the events which were occurrinsr elsewhere. 



CHAPTER XIII. 

WATAUGA IN THE REVOLUTION. 

J26. The South Overrun. — May 12, 1780, just one day before 
the Cumberland settlers completed and signed their "Compact," 
Charleston, S. C, together with the American army which defended 
it, was surrendered by General Lincoln to General Sir Henry Clinton, 
commanding the British army. Savannah, Ga., had been previously 
occupied, and the entire southern coast was in possession of the 
British. Lord Cornwallis moved to the north and west, and routed 
the American army under Gates at Camden, while Sumpter was 
defeated by Tarlton. Colonel Clarke, of Georgia, who was operating 
along the Savannah River, was driven from the field and found tem- 

^See Putnam, Chapters IX. and X., and other annalists of the period. 



Watauga in the Revolution. 8i 

porary refuge on the Watauga. Marion and Lee were powerless to 
protect the country. 

Supposing all opposition at an end, Lord Cornwallis issued a 
proclamation threatening severe penalties against all who .should give 
aid to the American cause, summoned all loyalists to enlist in the 
English army, and relying on these recruits to hold the country in 
subjection, marched north to overrun North Carolina. 

Feeling secure on his right flank, which extended towards the 
Atlantic coast, he formed a mounted force of English regulars and 
tories to guard his left flank against attack from the west. The com- 
mand of this body was entrusted to Maj. Ferguson, a brave and skill- 
ful English officer. 

Keeping Ferguson somewhat in advance, and on his left, Corn- 
wallis advanced into North Carolina, and took post at Charlotte. 

I27» The Mountaineers. — Previous to the movement into North 
Carolina, Cornwallis had learned to beware of the pioneers "from over 
the mountains. ' ' When Colonel Clarke , of Georgia, had taken refuge in 
the Watauga country to rest and refresh his men, he carried with him 
on his return a number- of recruits from Watauga, among others Rob- 
ert Bean. These Watauga men rendered signal service in the victory 
which Clarke soon afterwards gained. Returning home, these moun- 
taineers inflamed their associates by relating the atrocities practiced 
by the tories on the defenseless patriots. A little later, Shelby, in 
Sullivan County, and Sevier, in Washington County, in obedience to the 
command of General Rutherford, had levied one hundred men each, 
and were on the point of moving to the defense of Charleston, when 
news arrived that Charleston had fallen, and that the enemy were 
moving northward, and were approaching the North Carolina line. 
Both of these energetic commanders doubled their levies, and with 
two hundred mounted men each, marched promptly to the camp of 
Colonel McDowell, who commanded the North Carolina troops at Cher- 
okee Ford, in South Carolina. Sevier, being unable to leave home, 
sent his regiment under the command of Maj. Charles Robertson. 

128. The Mountaineers Gain Distinction. — Colonel Shelby was 
detached with six hundred men to operate against a force of tories 
under command of Col. Patrick Moore, a noted loyalist. He found 
Colonel Moore strongly entrenched on the Pacolet River, in a redoubt 
known as Thicketty Fort. Capt. William Cocke, subsequently United 
States Senator from Tennessee, was sent to demand the surrender. 
This was refused, whereupon Colonel Shelby drew up his men to 



82 History op Tennessee. 

storm the fort. Alarmed at the formidable appearance, Colonel Moore 
proposed to surrender on condition that his. men should be paroled, 
not to serve during the war, unless exchanged. The date of this sur- 
render was July 30, 17S0. 

Colonel Shelby, in command of six hundred men, was attacked at 
Cedar Springs by Ferguson with his entire command. After a sharp 
fight, Shelby withdrew, but with the honors of war. 

August 1 8th occurred the battle of Musgrove's Mill, on the Enoree 
River. This feat resembled one of Forrest's most daring raids. It 
displayed a species of strategy peculiar to Tennessee militar)' genius. 
Colonel Shelby, learning that a party of four or five hundred tories 
was encamped at Musgrove's Mill, determined to surprise them. But 
Ferguson's force of two thousand men lay between. Shelby, with his 
famous six hundred men, four hundred Tennesseans, and Clarke's 
Georgians, and Williams' South Carolinians, moved rapidly during 
the night by a circuitous route, passed around Ferguson's camp, and 
reached the vicinity of Musgrove's Mill before day. While forming 
his line for the attack at day-break. Colonel Shelby was surprised to 
learn that the enemy had just been reinforced by a detachment of 
British regulars and tories under the command of Colonel Innis. In 
this dilemma it was not safe either to attack or retreat. The enemy had 
discovered his presence, but was not aware of his force. He decided 
to prepare a hasty ambush, and sent forward Capt. Shadrach Inman with 
a small force to entice the enemy to attack him. The strategem was 
entirely successful. The enemy attacked and were completely routed. 
Shelby pursued them for a short distance, capturing many prisoners, 
and contemplating an attack upon the post at Ninety-Six, when his 
movement was suddenly arrested by a courier from Colonel McDowell 
announcing the disastrous defeat of Gates at Camden. His position 
was now full of danger. It would require the utmost skill and energy 
to effect his retreat. This was .successfully accomplished. Escaping 
with his prisoners and booty, he evaded pursuit, and rejoined Colonel 
McDowell on the following day, sixty miles from the battle-field, in 
the mountains, where he turned over seventy prisoners. 

The period of the enlistment of the Tennesseans had now expired. 
After consultation with McDowell and the other leaders, measures 
were concerted for future campaigns against Ferguson, and the Ten- 
nessee troops returned home full of confidence in themselves, and 
covered with glory. 



Watauga in the Rkvoi^ution. 83 

129. The Gathering. — After the battle of Camden, and the rout 
of the American Army under Gates, Cornwallis moved into North 
Carohna and took post at Charlotte, as previously related. Ferguson, 
guarding his left flank, easily overran the country to the west, and 
approached the mountains. He had learned a wholesome dread of 
the mountaineers, from whom he had received the only check in his 
career of victory. Meanwhile, Shelby and Sevier had been in con- 
sultation with Colonels Arthur and William Campbell, of Virginia, 
with the purpose of levying a force sufficient to cope with Ferguson. 
This purpose was strengthened by a message which Colonel Shelby re- 
ceived from Ferguson, threatening to destroy the Watauga settlement. 

Monday, September 25, 1780, Colonel William Campbell, of Vir- 
ginia, commanding four hundred men. Colonel Isaac Shelby, of Sullivan 
County, Tennessee, and Colonel John Sevier, of Washington County, 
Tennessee, each commanding two hundred and forty men, established 
their camp of eight hundred and forty mounted men at Sycamore 
Shoals. The next day, after prayer by Rev. Samuel Doak, the com- 
bined forces started on their march to capture Ferguson. Trusting 
to their good horses, their well-tested Deckhard rifles, and their own 
vigorous manhood, they never for a moment doubted the result. On 
the march they were joined by Colonel Cleveland and Colonel Win 
ston, with three or four hundred North Carolinians, October i, and 
later by volunteers all along the route. Halting for two days, a 
council was held, and Colonel William Campbell, of Virginia, was 
selected to command the expedition. Subsequently other forces joined 
on the march. Among these were Sumpter's South Carolinians, un- 
der Lacey, and the commands of McDowell, Hambright, and Will- 
iams. Ferguson was at Gilbert Town when he learned of the approach 
of the mountaineers. He retreated and took position on King's 
Mountain. He was pursued and attacked at this place. Two days 
before overtaking Ferguson, Colonel Campbell inspected his troops. 
Finding many of the horses worn out, he selected nine hundred and 
ten of the best mounted men, and with these continued the pursuit, 
leaving the remainder of his command to follow more slowly. This 
force of nine hundred and ten men fought the battle of King's Mount- 
ain. October 7 , 1 780, the pursuers arrived at the foot of the mountain. 

J30. Battle of King^s Mountain. — This mountain resembles a 
truncated cone, from which a long spur projects. The circular plain 
at its top is bald, while the sides of the mountain are covered with 
small trees and undergrowth, and are ver}^ rocky. Upon this plain at 



%^j^>>rji^ , 




Watauga in the Revolution. 85 

the top Ferguson was entrenched with some eleven hundred men. 
About twelve o'clock, October 7, 1780, the nine hundred and ten men 
under command of Colonel Campbell reached the foot of the mount- 
ain unobserved by the enemy. They picketed their horses in the 
woods, and placed a small guard over them, which somewhat reduced 
the force that entered the battle. Dividing into two columns, which 
moved on foot in diverse directions, they encircled the mountain. 
When the heads of the two columns met, Ferguson was surrounded. 
Wheeling into line, the American force began to climb the sides of 
the mountain. The maneuver had been nearl}^ completed before 
their presence was discovered. The annexed diagram shows the plan 
of attack and the position of the troops. Ferguson sent Capt. Abram 
De Peyster, his second in command, to charge with the bayonet upon 
Campbell and Shelby, who were approaching along the spur. He drove 
them down the mountain. About the same time the American troops 
on the opposite side of the mountain made a fierce assault, which com- 
pelled Ferguson to recall De Peyster from his charge. As De Peyster 
retreated up the hill the practiced riflemen of Shelby and Campbell 
followed their retiring footsteps, and picked them off at leisure. 
Similar tactics were eniplo3^ed throughout the fight. The American 
forces, hidden by the trees and rocks, used their unerring rifles with 
terrible effect upon the enemy exposed on the bald plain above, sur- 
rounding Ferguson's camp like a rubber band, yielding to pressure at 
any point of attack, and closing with elastic force when the pressure 
was removed. 

The remarkable spectacle was presented of an inferior force sur- 
rounding a superior force, and pressing it to destruction. No battle 
scene was ever more striking. The stalwart mountaineers, in their 
hunting .shirts and picturesque costumes, moving actively and grace- 
fully along the mountain sides, receding or advancing as occasion 
required, using their faithful rifles as coolly as at target practice, grad- 
ually contracting the encompassing circle until the well trained Brit- 
ish regulars were crushed by the pressure. 

After an hour of fighting Ferguson fell, and his second in com- 
mand, De Peyster, surrendered. The loss of the British was fearful — 
two hundred and twenty-five killed, and one hundred and eighty 
wounded. The proportion of the killed to the wounded testifies to the 
deadly accuracy of the mountain rifles. Seven hundred prisoners were 
taken, fifteen hundred stands of arms, and large .stores of supplies. 
The loss of the Americans was thirty killed, and about sixty wounded. 



86 History of Tennessee. 

The Americans retreated with their prisoners and captured stores, 
and successfully eluded pursuit. Having accomplished their purpose 
of destroying Ferguson, Shelby and Sevier returned home, and dis- 
banded their men. 

131. The Effect of King's Mountain. — This battle is ranked by 
historians as one of the decisive battles of the Revolution. It defeated 
the plans of Cornwallis, and forced his return to the Atlantic coast, 
General Washington proclaimed the result of the battle of King's 
Mountain in general orders to the army, as "an important object 
gained and a proof of the spirit and resources of the country." Con- 
gress expressed in its resolves " a high sense of the spirited and mili- 
tary conduct of Colonel Campbell, and the officers and privates of 
the militia under his command." Thomas Jefferson said: "That 
memorable victory was the annunciation of that turn of the tide 
of success which terminated the Revolutionary War with the seal of 
independence." 

J32. Honors to the Heroes of King's Mountain. — Sevier, Shelby, 
and their officers and soldiers were greeted with the highest honors 
upon their return home, and became the idols of their countrymen. 
The North Carolina Legislature voted thanks to the officers and men, 
and presented swords to Sevier and Shelby. Similar honors were 
awarded to Campbell and his men by Virginia. These honors were 
merited by the bravery and skill which they displayed. By no other" 
tactics could Ferguson's forces have been captured, and such tactics 
could have succeeded at no place but King's Mountain. ^ 



CHAPTER XIV. 

THE STATE OF FRANKLIN. 

J 33. Sevier Invades the Cherokees. — The absence of so many of 
the defenders of Watauga had encouraged the Cherokees to plan an 
invasion of the country. The heroes of King's Mountain returned 
just in time. Receiving positive information that a strong Indian 

^ No battle of the Revolution has received a more enduring monument than 
the battle of King's Mountain in the great work of Dr. Lyman C. Draper, entitled 
"King's Mountain and its Heroes," to which the student is referred for an ex- 
haustive account of the engagement, and of the men who participated in it. See 
also Ramsey; Haywood; American Historical Magazine, Vol. I, No. i, pp. 22-47 
(January No., 1896). 



Thk State op Franklin-. 87 

force was on the road to invade the settlement, Sevier ordered the 
troops of Washington County to be mustered, and, without waiting for 
the embodiment of the entire force, he marched to intercept the encni}'. 
He moved with the companies of Captain Russell and Captain Guess, 
and other volunteers, amounting in all to about one hundred men. 
He was joined on the march by Captain Pruett with about seventy 
men. At Long Creek he encountered a large force of Indians, who 
retreated after a short skirmish. Sevier followed in pursuit, and 
overtook the enemy at Boyd's Creek. Sevier attacked with his usual 
impetuosity and success. The Indians were routed and dispersed, with 
a loss of twenty-eight killed and many wounded. This timely move- 
ment and complete victory of the greatest of Indian fighters, saved 
the settlers from invasion and added greatly to the sentiments of 
admiration and gratitude with which Sevier was regarded. The battle 
of Boyd's Creek was added to the list of the thirty-five battles in which 
Sevier was thirty-five times a victor. In this battle. Major Tipton was 
severely wounded. Capt. Landon Carter and others are mentioned 
with honor. 

Sevier encamped for a few days on the French Broad, where he 
was joined by Col. Arthur Campbell from Virginia and Major Martin 
from Sullivan County. He then moved south with a force of seven 
hundred mounted men, the Indians fleeing before him. Chilhowee, 
Hiwassee,and all other Indian towns between the Tennessee and Hiwas- 
see rivers were destroyed. The combined forces then pressed on to 
the Indian town Tellico, where he met a deputation of Indians, pro- 
posing peace. This town was spared. Crossing the Hiwassee, they 
marched against the Chickamaugas, destroying villages and devas- 
tating the country. 

Thence they passed into Georgia, and followed the Coosa south 
until they reached the cypress swamps, spreading ruin and devasta- 
tion along their tracks. 

This stern and cruel mode of warfare accomplished its purpose. 
The Indians, humbled and terrified, sued for peace. A treaty was 
made, and Sevier and his comrades returned home. Immediately 
upon their return, January 4, 1781, the three commanders, Col. 
Arthur Campbell, Col. John Sevier, and Major Joseph Martin issued 
a joint address to the Indians, dictating the terms of a permanent 
treaty. 

The Indians, although soliciting peace, still continued stealthy 
hostilities. During the summer, Sevier, with one hundred and thirty 



88 History op Tennessee. 

men, again marched against the Cherokees, defeated them at Tucka- 
sejah, burnt many of their villages, and desolated the country. In 
revenge, the Indians invaded some of the outlying white settlements. 
Sevier marched against them, and at War Ford, on the French Broad 
River, inflicted upon them summary punishment. 

t34. Further Hostilities.— Soon after the battle of War Ford, 
Sevier and Shelby went with the troops of Washington and Sullivan 
counties to South Carolina, and served with Marion until January, 
1782. During their absence, the Cherokees, Chickamaugas, and 
Creeks resumed hostilities, and committed murders and depredations 
along the frontiers. Upon his return, Colonel Sevier from Washington 
County, and Colonel Anderson from Sullivan, marched with a force of 
two hundred mounted men into the territory of the hostile Indians, 
extending their invasion to Coosa and Oostenaula rivers in Georgia. 
The Indians offered no concerted defense, while their country was 
ravaged. After this punishment the Indians ceased their depreda- 
tions, and peace was secured. 

135. 1783. — As with the Cumberland settlers, so with Watauga 

settlers, this year was full of important events. Peace with Great 

- ■ Britain brought a relaxation of Indian hostili- 

/ ties. The new judicial district of Morgan was 

f ■ taken off from Salisbury District. Thus, 

^^"•- <*■• ; Washington and Sullivan counties, being 

„ j included in the new district, were afforded 

better facilities for the administration of jus- 

L^ tice. A final adjustment was made with the 

%, '- Transylvania Company, and land titles were 

' " '^^ ' made secure. A land office was opened for 

the sale of lands for the purpose of paying off 

the Revolutionary soldiers. This office proved 

Rev. Samuel Doak, 111 1 ^ • , ^ ^ . . • 

a valuable advertisement to attract immi- 

Pioneer Preacher and Teacher. 

grants. Greene County was erected out of 
Washington County. The first court consisted of Joseph Hardin, 
John Newman, George Doherty, James Houston, Amos Bird, and 
Asahel Rawlings. Daniel Kennedy was elected clerk, James Wilson, 
sheriff, and William Cocke, attorney for the State. At the end of 
this year, the three Kast Tennessee counties were in a prosperous 
condition, and rapidly growing. 

The thoughts of the people turned to the necessity for providing 
facilities for education, for which no provision had been made except 




The State of Franklin. 89 

the home school, which in that day was a part of the home establish- 
ment of everj^ well regulated family. 

In this year Rev. Samuel Doak built the log school house which 
was the first institution of learning in the West. Rev. Samuel Doak 
was the pioneer " preacher-teacher. " He began his ministrations at 
Salem in 1780, and was soon followed by other Presbyterian min- 
isters. ^ 

136. Dissatisfaction with North Carolina. — The pressure of the 
British war and the Indian wars was now removed. The Western 
settlers began to feel their strength. Nurtured in the wilderness, 
accustomed to independence, they were restive under any restraints 
imposed by people at a distance. The desire for self-government is a 
trait of the Anglo-Saxon character. This trait has been conspicuously 
developed in the American branch of the Anglo-Saxon race. 

The immediate cause of offense with North Carolina was the 
Cession Act of 1784. This act was passed by the General Assembly 
of North Carolina at its April session. It ceded to the United States 
all that portion of North Carolina which is now Tennessee, and noth- 
ing was lacking but the consent of Congress to degrade Tennessee 
from statehood. What did this mean to the people of Tennessee? 
Would they lose their right of self-government for which they had 
so long struggled, and which they had successfully maintained? 
Would they be governed by the edicts of Congress without any voice 
in their own affairs? What would become of land offices and land 
titles ? They were especially alarmed at the action of North Carolina 
in closing the land offices. The United States had not then adopted 
its wise and liberal policy of territorial government. The first or- 
dinance for the government of the Northwest Territory had been 
enacted but a few months before, and its features were not generally 
understood. In a general way it was expected that federal territories 
would become States — but how, or when, and under what conditions? 
What would be the status of the territories during the apprenticeship? 

137. The Third Independent Government in Tennessee. — The 
questions above propounded were vital questions to the Tennesseans 
of 1784. The answer had not yet been given by the United States. 
The people felt that their dearest interests were at stake. They had 
enjoyed statehood, and the}^ were not willing to relinquish it. Their 
thoughts reverted to the early self-made constitutions of Watauga and 
Cumberland, which they had surrendered to become a part of North 

^ See chapter on Education. 



90 History of Tennessee. 

Carolina, and to acquire the right of citizenship. Now North Caro- 
lina was giving them away without their consent. With characteris- 
tic promptness and self-reliance, they provided their own remedy. 
That remedy was the organization of an independent State. It was 
the third effort at self-government. 

t38. The Convention. — Of the four Tennessee counties, David- 
son County took no action; Washington, Sullivan, and Greene held 
county conventions, composed of two representatives from each cap- 
tain's company. These county conventions elected representatives to 
a general convention. 

These representatives met at Jonesboro, August 23, 1784, and 
organized by electing John Sevier president, and lyandon Carter sec- 
retary. A committee was appointed, of which William Cocke was 
chairman, to consider the situation. This committee promptly 
reported, recommending that the counties of Washington, Sullivan, 
and Greene should form themselves into an association, and should 
petition Congress to accept the cession of North Carolina and to per- 
mit the inhabitants of the territory to forma government, which shall 
be admitted into the Union as a State, and further that any contigu- 
ous portion of Virginia that may so desire, and shall obtain the con- 
sent of the State and of Congress, shall be permitted to unite with 
this State; that steps be taken to frame a constitution, and to send 
commissioners to urge the consent of Congress. 

This report was adopted by a vote of twenty-eight to fifteen. 
Messrs. Cag^^e and Hardin were then appointed to prepare a plan of 
organization. This committee reported the next day, recommending 
that a convention be elected for the purpose of framing a constitu- 
tion, that provision be made for support of a commissioner to "nego- 
tiate our business in Congress," and that all agree to pledge their 
lives and fortunes to the support of the association. This report was 
adopted, and a convention was called to meet at Jonesboro, Septem- 
ber 16, for the purpose of framing a constitution. 

The new convention which had been called for September 16, 
failed to meet at the appointed time, but convened at Jonesboro in 
November, and adjourned without taking any decisive action. In 
the meantime the General Assembly of North Carolina repealed the act 
which ceded Tennessee to the United States, and also passed an act 
forming the militia of Washington District into a brigade, and ap- 
pointed John Sevier brigadier-general. 

Sevier and others thought that no further action should be taken 



The State of P'ranklin. g'l 

towards the formation of a new State. But a public sentiment had 
been aroused which the leaders could not control. Sevier yielded, 
and went with his people. 

I39. Franklin. — A new convention was elected, which met at 
Jonesboro, and elected John Sevier president, and F. A. Ramsey secre- 
tary. The convention adopted a constitution, subject to ratification 
or amendment, or rejection, by a future convention to be chosen by 
the people, which convention should meet at Greeneville, November 
14, 1785. In the meantime the provisional constitution was put into 
operation, and under it a legislature was elected. This provisional 
constitution has, unfortunately, been lost, and historians can only 
conjecture its provisions. 

The new legislature met at Jonesboro, and organized by electing 
I^andon Carter speaker, and Thomas Talbot clerk, of the Senate; and 
William Cage, speaker, and Thomas Chapman, clerk, of the House 
of Commons. 

John Sevier was then elected governor, and David Campbell judge 
of the Superior Court, and Joshua Gist and John Anderson, assistant 
judges. The lyCgislature adjourned March 31, 1785. Many of its 
acts are very interesting. ( A synopsis of these acts is given in Ram- 
sey's Annals, pp. 293-299.) 

An act which caused much criticism and merriment was the 
Currency Act, providing that various articles should be received as 
money at fixed prices — coon skins, fox skins, tallow, whisky, peach or 
apple brandy, sugar, tobacco, etc. The State of Franklin was now fully 
in operation, with John Sevier as governor. It still lacked a perma- 
nent constitution, and the consent of North Carolina and of Congress. 

Formal notice was served on Governor Martin of North Carolina, 
who at once issued a manifesto to the inhabitants of Washington, 
Sullivan, and Greene, which was a note of conciliation and warning. 
Sevier replied, and a war of manifestoes followed. Then came a 
period of conflict of authority between the partisans of Franklin and 
the partisans of North Carolina. Though threatening to lead to civil 
war, yet these conflicts were bloodless. Never has the Anglo-Saxon 
moderation of character been more conspicuously illustrated. 

J40. The Constitution. — In the midst of this disturbed state of 
affairs a constitutional convention met at Greeneville, November 14, 
1785. Rev. Samuel Houston, on the part of the committee appointed 
for that purpose, presented a "Declaration of Rights, also the Consti- 
tution or Form of Government Agreed to and Resolved upon by the 



92 History of Tennessee. 

Representatives of the Freemen of the State of Frankland." This 
proposed constitution is the most interesting relic which has been pre- 
served of this short-lived State. The classical men of the period, such 
as Rev. Samuel Houston and General William Cocke, desired to give 
the new State a classical name. The committee of this convention, 
appointed to prepare a constitution selected the name " Frankland " — 
Land of the Free. The constitution which they proposed contained 
some quaint features. No person is eligible to ofhce unless he pos- 
sesses certain property qualifications, or if he can be proved to be 
guilty of immorality, profane swearing, drunkenness, Sabbath-break- 
ing, gaming, etc., or if he shall deny by word or writing that the 
Scriptures are given by divine inspiration, that there are three divine 
persons in the Godhead, etc. The constitution was required to be put 
in the form of a catechism, and taught in the schools, and a copy 
to be furnished to every citizen. A tribunal of twenty-four members 
is provided, as inspectors of the State, who shall examine into the acts 
of public officers, to see whether they have observed the constitution 
and laws, with power of impeachment, regulating salaries, etc.^ This 
constitution was rejected by the convention, and a hasty vote was taken, 
adopting the constitution of North Carolina, with few changes, and the 
name of the State was declared to be Franklin. 

By whom and when the State was given the name ' ' Franklin ' ' 
can not be exactly determined. Before the meeting of this conven- 
tion, it was commonly known as Franklin. John Sevier, writing to 
Governor Patrick Henry, of Virginia, dates his letter, Franklin State, 
July 19, 1785, and says : " The people on the western waters in No 
Carolina, for many Reasons too long to Trouble you with, have formed 
themselves into a new State by the name of Franklin, and have ap- 
pointed their Governor." A certified copy of this letter is in posses- 
sion of Col. John Allison. 

141. The Capitol of the State of Franklin.— At the Centennial 
Exposition in Nashville an old log house, shown in the annexed pict- 
ure, was exhibited as the capitol of Franklin, having been removed 
from Greeneville for the purpose of exhibition. According to tradi- 

' It is believed that only one complete copy of this curious document is in 
existence. This copy was procured by Dr. J. G. M. Ramsey, the historian, after the 
publication of his Annals of Tennessee, and was presented by him to the Tennessee 
Historical Society. Dr. Ramsey had previously obtained a mutilated copy, which 
he published in his Annals, with the remark that the remainder was lost. The 
complete copy, secured from the archives of the Tennessee Historical Society, 
was published in full, January, 1896, in the American Historical Magazine of the 
Peabody Normal College at Nashville, Vol. I, No. i, pp. 48-63. 



The State of Franklin. 



93 



tion, this building was used from 1785 to 1787 as the capitol of Frank- 
lin. This, however, is disputed, as resting upon no testimony which 
can be adduced. Ramsey's statement that the county court-house at 
Green eville was used as the capitol of Franklin, has been challenged 
on the ground that the court-house was not built until a later date. 
It is generally conceded that the old log house, here shown, was 
standing in 1785. In the absence of positive evidence, we may trust 
to the old tradition, and believe that it was, in some manner, used by 
the State of Franklin. Nothing that could be written could convey to 
us so vivid an idea of the condition of the times as the study of this old 
building, which has come down to the present as a monument of the past. 

The picture here given is copied from a photograph taken in 
April, 1897, which represents this historic building as it now appears, 
deserted and dilapidated, but exhibiting the simplicity and solidity of 
its structure, and attesting how the conquerors of the wilderness had 
alread}^ subjected the 
primeval forest to the 
uses of pioneer life.^ 

It had been fif- 
teen years since the 
first cabin had been 
erected b}^ William 
Been. In that short 
space of time a stream 
of population had 
poured in ; law and 
order had been se- 
cured ; two fa m o u s 
constitutions had 
been established — the 
' ' Watauga Association ' ' and the ' ' Cumberland Compact ' ' ; dwellings 
had been constructed from the resources of the wilderness, agriculture, 
primitive manufactures, and other appliances of civilization were 
rapidly developing ; roads and other internal improvements were in 
progress. Our ancestors were well aware of the great resources in 
their possession, and they were using energetic means to convert these 
resources into wealth ; and to prepare for their old age and for their 




An Old House at Greeneville, Supposed to have been 
THE Capitol of the State of Franklin. 



'The photograph from which this picture is taken was furnished by Colonel 
John Allison, and a fac simile of it may be found in his valuable and interesting 
work, "Dropped Stitches in Tennessee History," opposite page 32. 



94 . History of Tennessee. 

posterity the comforts and appliances of civilization ; but the elegance 
and luxury of accumulated capital were not yet within their reach. 
Whether this particular building, or some other of similar structure, 
was used as the capitol in this primitive period, its real ornaments 
can not be shown in a picture. I^et us view them in imagination, as 
John Sevier and his hero pioneers assembled within its walls. Com- 
manding in figure, noble in presence, picturesque in costume, frank, 
bold, just, and wise; all unconscious of their greatness, they formed 
a group which history can not adequately portray, and which pos- 
terity can never cease to admire. 

J42. The Decline. — The conservative and firm course of North 
Carolina, the reticence of Congress, the lack of resources of the new 
State, and the conflict of government were beginning to sap the 
strength of the State of Franklin. It soon became evident to Sevier 
that his government must collapse unless he resorted to force to main- 
tain its authority. For the only time in his life, John Sevier showed 
vacillation — honorable vacillation. Pride and fidelity to his associates 
led him on — his sound judgment and kindly instincts held him back. 
He could not find it in his heart to involve his people in civil war. He 
refrained from violence, and permitted its government to go by default. 

J43. The Efforts at Compromise. — North Carolina continued to 
legislate and to execute her laws within the jurisdiction of Franklin. 
In 1786, her General Assembly erected Sumner County out of David- 
son, and Hawkins County out of Sullivan, being the same territory 
which Franklin had assumed to erect into Spencer County. At this 
juncture, General Cocke and Judge Campbell were appointed commis- 
sioners to make an appeal to the General Assembly of North Caro- 
lina. Judge Campbell addressed Governor Caswell of North Caro- 
lina an able letter of remonstrance. General Cocke appeared at the 
bar of the General Assembly, and was accorded a hearing. In an 
address of great ability and eloquence, he touched the sympath}- of 
the legislators, but failed to secure favorable legislation. 

The next effort at compromise came from North Carolina. Colo- 
nel Evan Shelby was requested by Governor Caswell to hold a con- 
ference with Governor Sevier. This conference was held at the house 
of Samuel Smith, May 20, 1787. An agreement was reached, which 
was reduced to writing and signed by Shelby and Sevier. This was 
an agreement of mutual forbearance between the two governments 
until the meeting of the next General Assembly of North Carolina. 
Certain stipulations were made for carrying on the public business by 



The State of Franklin. 95 

cooperation of the two governments. This compromise averted the 
danger of violence, and afforded present relief, but it was only a tem- 
porary expedient. 

J 44. The Collapse. — The term of ofBce of the members of the 
I^egislature of Franklin had now expired, and the authority of the 
State was so weak that no elections were held to fill their places. 
Sevier's term of office was also near its close. He was ineligible to 
reelection, and there was no legislature to elect his successor. Thus, 
Franklin expired like the flickering lamp in which the oil is exhausted. 
The end came March, 1788, with the expiration of Sevier's tejm of 
office. Near the close of his administration. Governor Sevier became 
involved in a contest with Colonel Tipton, which was the nearest ap- 
proach to violence in the history of Franklin. The North Carolina 
sheriff had seized some of Sevier's negroes, on legal process, and con- 
fined them at Tipton's house. Sevier, with a strong party of his 
friends, besieged Tipton's house. He could not ])e induced, however, 
to resort to violence. After lingering in a vacillating way until Tipton 
was reinforced, Sevier withdrew. 

J45. Sevier in Custody. — Soon after the expiration of his term 
of office as Governor of Franklin, Sevier was arrested on a warrant 
issued by Judge Spencer, on the charge of treason. The arrest was 
made by Colonel Tipton, who acted brutally upon the occasion. 
Sevier was handcuffed, and .sent to Morganton, where he was placed 
in the custody of the sheriff of Burke County. Here he found warm 
friends and sympathizers among his King's Mountain comrades. 
After a .short sojourn, he left Morganton without trial and returned 
home. The manner of his release or escape is variously stated. 
According to one statement, his old comrade, Co.sby, accompanied b}' 
Sevier's son, followed him to Morganton, walked into the court where 
Sevier was arraigned, and addressing the judge sternly, asked, 
"Ain't you about done with this man?" Whereupon, Sevier walked 
out of the court, sprang upon his favorite horse, which was held in 
waiting for him, and rode rapidly away. 

Recent researches of Dr. E. E. Hoss and Col. John Allison have 
proved that all these romantic statements, notwithstanding the sanc- 
tion of the old historians, are erroneous. The records of Burke County, 
N. C, show that no court of any kind was in session in Morganton 
at or near that time. A manuscript statement of Maj. John Sevier, 
who was one of the party that went to Morganton to effect, if neces- 
sary-, his father's release, gives an account of the whole affair. 



96 History of Tennessee. 

As soon as it became known that Sevier had been carried away in 
handcuffs, a large meeting of his friends assembled at Jonesboro, 
armed, and ready to proceed to violence. It was decided to send Dr. 
Cosby, Maj. John Sevier, and three others, to Morganton. Upon their 
arrival, they found that Sevier's old King's Mountain comrades had 
already come to his relief. Generals Charles and Joseph McDowell 
had become his bondsmen. The sheriff, himself a King's Mountain 
veteran, had released him from custody. Sevier was found at the 
hotel, surrounded by veteran comrades. He left Morganton with his 
friend sin open daylight, and unmolested. 

J46. Honors to Sevier. — Upon his return home, he was joyfully 
received by his old friends and neighbors, and nothing more was ever 
heard of his arrest. Soon afterwards he was elected to represent 
Greene County in the Senate of North Carolina. He attended the 
meeting of the General Assembly at Fayetteville, November 2, 1789. 
The act which debarred him from holding office was speedily repealed, 
and he was admitted to his seat, and soon afterwards reinstated as 
Brigadier-General of Washington District. In the same year, he was 
elected as Representative to the United States Congress from Wash- 
ington District of North Carolina, which district coincided with the 
present State of Tennessee. He was the first member of Congress 
west of the Alleghany Mountains. 



CHAPTER XV. 

CUMBERLAND, 1783^/790. 

J47. 1783. — The year 1783 was full of events " pregnant with 
destiny" to the Cumberland settlers. April 14, North Carolina 
asserted jurisdiction by establishing Davidson County. In the early 
part of the year, the governor of North Carolina appointed commis- 
sioners to lay off the lands which had been granted by the State. 
October 6, the "Inferior Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions" was 
organized at Nashborough, In June, the treaty of Nashborough 
was held with the Cherokee and Chickasaw Indians. September 3, 
the final treaty of peace was concluded at Paris, which closed the 
Revolutionary War and brought on the "Spanish Intrigues." Let 
us study the effects of these important events. 

148. Davidson County. — The settlers on the Cumberland had 
established an independent government to provide for their necessities. 



Cumberland, 1783-1790. 97 

but they had never claimed or desired to be independent of North 
Carolina. They petitioned for recognition from the State, and were 
rejoiced when recognition was granted. 

J49. The Land Commissioners Arrive. — In 1782, Absalom 
Tatum, Isaac Shelby, and Anthony Bledsoe were appointed comniis- 
.sioners to select and lay off a tract, or tracts, of lands sufficient to 
meet all the grants which North Carolina had made to the officers 
and soldiers of the Revolutionary War. Early in i7'83, these com- 
missioners reached Nashborough, and entered upon their duties. 
Accompanied by a guard of one hundred men and an escort of many 
leading citizens from the Cumberland settlements, they proceeded to 
lay off the boundaries of the " Military Reservation." Beginning at 
a point near where Elk River crosses the southern boundary, and 
which has since been called " Latitude Hill," thej^ ran the line, which 
has been styled the " Commissioners' line." The officers and soldiers 
were not satisfied with this reservation. In the same j^ear, 1783, the 
Legislature passed an act designating the boundaries of the military 
reservation, which was laid off by commissioners the next year, 1784. 
The boundary of the new reservation is generally called the ' ' Conti- 
nental Line." There has been much confusion between these two 
reservation lines of North Carolina. This confusion was increased at 
a later date, when a third reservation line was run to make the bounda- 
ries which separated the public lands which the United States reserved, 
from the public lands of the State of Tennessee. This last named 
line is generally called the ' ' Congressional Reservation Line. ' ' These 
three reservation lines and their several boundaries are represented on 
the Map of Public Lands and Reservation Lines. 

The first commission in 1783, laid off, near Columbia, a tract of 
twenty-five thousand acres for General Greene, which had been granted 
by North Carolina, " as a mark of the high sense of his extraordinary 
services in the war of the Revolution." In 1 791, Thomas Jefferson, 
Secretary of State, made a report to Congress on the condition of the 
public lands. The student is referred to this report. The following 
quotation alludes to the above mentioned commission : " 2nd. Grants 
to Isaac Shelby, Anthony Bledsoe, and Absalom Tatum, commission- 
ers for laying out the military boundaries, and to guards, chain 
carriers, markers, and hunters, who attended them, already i.ssued to 



98 History of Tennessee. 

the amount of sixty-five thousand nine hundred and thirty-two acres, 
located in the military district."-^ 

J 50. Effects of the Bounty Land Grants. — The location of bounty 
lands had the effect of bringing to the feeble settlements in Middle 
Tennessee what they needed above all other things, a stream of hardy 
immigrants. Veteran soldiers of the Revolution came to settle on 
their land grants, and with them came their families and many of 
their friends and neighbors. This tide of immigration brought to 
Tennessee a large element of her best population. It more than com- 
pensated for the irritation of the Indians by providing a strong rein- 
forcement of experienced and hardy defenders. Nevertheless, the 
Indian hostility was a present calamity, and was promoted by the 
land surve3'S. As an evidence of the Indian sentiment, may be men- 
tioned the reply of the Indian chief. Hanging Maw, to John Peyton. 
A party of whites had been surprised by the Indians, and in their 
flight had left behind a surveyor's compass. About a year afterwards 
negotiation was begun to recover the compass. The Indian chief 
replied: "You, John Peyton, ran away like a coward, and left all 
your property. As for your land-stealer, I have broken that against a 
tree.^ 

J5I. The Treaty^ of Nash borough. — Among the most important 
events of the year was the treaty which was begun and concluded 
with the Chickasaws and Cherokees, in the month of June, 1783, 
at a sulphur spring about four miles from Nashville on the Charlotte 
road, and since known as Cherokee Spring. This treaty with the 
Indians was called by Colonels Donelson and Martin, commissioners 
of Virginia. It was held by permission of the Cumberland settlers. 
Many persons, and among others James Robertson, were opposed to 
permitting the Indians to assemble in the midst of the Cumberland 
settlements. Finally, the matter was submitted to a vote of the peo- 
ple. The election resulted in granting the permission, by a small 
majority. The Indians accordingly assembled in large numbers to 
meet the commissioners of Virginia. They were hospitably enter- 

'Imlay's America, p. 588; American State Papers ; Putnam, p. 172; American 
Historical Magazine, Vol. II, Number 4 ( October 1897 ) pp. 303 et seq. (Articleof 
James McCallum ); 2 Meigs' Digest, p. 664 ; Acts 1783, chapter 3. ? 7 ; 2 Haywood 
& Cobb's Laws, p. 32. 

-Putnam, p. 247. 

^A conference with the Indians was called a "Talk," or a "Treaty." The 
term "Treaty" was also applied to a written agreement. 



Cumberland, 1783-1790. 99 

tained by the Cumberland people, and the occasion became one of 
festivity, enlivened by games and athletic sports. ^ 

J52. The Chickasaw Cession, — At this conference, or treaty, the 
Chickasaws ceded to North Carolina the tract of country extending 
from the Cumberland River S9uth to the ridge dividing the waters 
that flow into Duck River from the waters that flow into the Cumber- 
land. This treaty, although not authorized or recognized by the 
United States, was sacredly observed by the Chickasaws, and secured 
their cordial and lasting friendship to the Cumberland settlers. The 
terms of this treaty were subsequently confirmed by the United States 
by "the treaties of Hopewell, concluded with the Cherokees on the 
28th day of November, 1785, and with the Chickasaws, on the loth 
day of January, 1786."^ 

153. Causes of Anxiety. — Although a preliminary^ treaty of 
peace had been agreed upon between Great Britain and the United 
States, yet it was not to go into effect until ratified by our allies, 
France and Spain. There were important points at issue between 
these powers and Great Britain. Among them were questions con- 
nected with Florida and the Mississippi River. In these questions 
the Cumberland settlers were deeply interested. While they rejoiced 
in the temporary respite from war, they looked anxiously to the 
future. Still harassed by the guerrilla warfare with the Cherokees 
and Chickamaugas, thej^ dreaded a renewal of dangerous invasions, 
if the treaty should fail, and the British should again become allies of 
their savage foes. They also feared that the conclusion of the treaty 
would leave Great Britain in possession of Florida and in control of 
the mouth of the Mississippi River. In this event thej^ foresaw annoy- 
ance to their commerce, almost the prohibition of the use of the Mis- 
sissippi, and active Indian hostilities. 

154. The Final Treaty of Peace. — When the Definitive Treaty of 
Peace was concluded, September 3, 1783, the Cumberland settlers 
learned with joy that Florida was ceded to Spain, and the control of 
the Mississippi had passed into the hands of one of our allies, who, 
though not an active ally like France, had aided our struggle for 



^The historians differ somewhat. See Putnam, p. 194; Haywood, p. 361; 
Monette, Vol. II, pp. 216, 268; Ramsey, pp.459, 489; American State Papers, 
Folio Edition, Vol. I, p. 15, Vol. V, p. 432. See map of Indian Treaties, page 
— ; also Jefferson's Report of 1791, Imlay, page 586, and American State Papers; 
Ramsey, p. 463. 

^ See Putnam, pp. 238-241 ; Jefferson's Report of 1791 ; Imlay, p. 586; and 
American State Papers. 

L.ofC. 



History of Tennessee. 



independence, had overrun Florida during the war, and had forced 
its cession from Great Britain. They looked forward to the cessation 
of Indian invasions, and to favorable terms for the navigation of the 
Mississippi. 

Deep was their disappointment when they found that instead of a 
friend and ally, they were to encounter a wily and treacherous enemy. 




The Indian Reservation Proposed by Spain and France. 

Then began the peculiar period of Western history, known as the 
period of the "Spanish Intrigues." The policy of Spain had been 



Cumberland, 17S3-1790. loi 

foreshadowed in 1781, and later at Paris in the negotiations prelimi- 
nary to the treaty of peace. 

\55, The Spanish Intrigues. — In June 1781, France, at the 
instigation of Spain, persuaded the Congress of the United States to 
pass a resolution consenting that peace might be made on terms satis- 
factory to France, provided only that the Independence of the United 
States should be acknowledged.^ When the real purpose of France 
and Spain came to be understood, this resolution was repealed. Spain, 
although wishing to strike England by aiding in the revolt of her 
colonies, was no real friend of the United States. On the contrary, 
Spain was alarmed at the principles of freedom which formed the 
basis of American institutions, and feared that these principles would 
spread among the Spanish American colonies. 

J56. Plan to make the Western Country a Vast Indian Reserva- 
tion. — France cooperated with Spain in the effort to limit the western 
boundary of the United States to the Alleghany Mountains. " In the 
peace negotiations at Paris in 1782, our two allies urged our Commis- 
sioners to consent to this limitation. It was proposed that the entire 
western country should constitute an Indian reservation, to be divided 
into three parts ; that the portion north of the Ohio River should be 
under the protection of Great Britain ; the portion between the Ohio 
River and Florida should be divided into two parts, the eastern part 
to be under the protection of the United States, and the western part, 
under the protection of Spain. This purpose was defeated by the 
firmness of our commissioners and the magnanimous action of Great 
Britain, and our boundaries were extended to the Mississippi River on 
the west and the Great Lakes on the north. 

157. Continuation of the Spanish Intrigues. — Being foiled in the 
purpose of establishing an Indian Reservation as a barrier between 
her American possessions and the United States, Spain had to be con- 
tent for the present with acquiring Florida. With this acquisition, 

^ This action of Congress was taken in secret session, but rumors began to 
circulate which caused alarm throughout the country, and aroused deep resent- 
ment in the West. At a later period, when the Virginia convention was consider- 
ing the question of the ratification of the Constitution of the United States, this 
action of Congress was investigated, and was severely condemned by Patrick 
Henry. It came very near preventing the ratification of the Constitution. See 
Virginia Historical Collections, Vol. IX, New Series, Virginia Convention, Vol. I, 
pp. 230-247. 

^ yee Narrative and Critical History, Justin Winsor, Vol. I, chapter 2, entitled 
" Peace Negotiations of 1 782-1 783," by Hon. John Jay; Marbois' History of Louisi- 
ana, pp. 149-153 ; Bancroft, Vol. VI, pp. 441-484. 
4 



to2 History of Tennessee. 

she obtained control of the mouth of the Mississippi and of all the 
streams which flow into the Gulf of Mexico. 

As soon as peace was concluded in 1783, Spain began the secret 
operations against the western settlements in Tennessee, Kentucky, 
and the Northwest Territory, which historians have denominated the 
"Spanish Intrigues." Her first efforts were addressed to the work of 
inciting the Indians to hostilities against the infant settlements, with 
the purpose of forcing the English settlers to abandon the country. 
To effect this purpose, the Spanish governors resorted to every artifice 
known to diplomacy to incite the Indians by secret means. At a later 
period, the policy of Spain was materially changed, and was directed 
to conciliate the western people and to induce them to separate from 
the United States, and to establish an independent government in alli- 
ance with Spain . Let us now examine the first period of the ' ' Spanish 
Intrigues," which extended from 1783 to about 1788. 

J58. Active Hostilities of the Indians. — Just as the Cumberland 
settlers were beginning to look for rest from savage warfare, which had 
so long harassed them and retarded their growth, they were confronted 
with an unusual activity among the Southern Indians. They were 
slow to believe that their old ally, Spain, was instigating and aiding 
the Indian aggressions, but the conviction was gradually forced upon 
them, and brought a sense of anxiety. Although beginning in 1783, 
the Spanish intrigues were not fully developed until a few years 
later, when the Indian hostilities and the restrictions on the use of 
the Mississippi River became disastrous to the interests of the South- 
west . 

J59. State Court Established. — Steadily growing, in spite of all 
obstacles, the Cumberland settlers felt the need of a court of justice 
whose powers emanated from the State. January 7, 1783, the Court 
of Notables, the tribunal of the Cumberland Compact, had been 
revived, and its jurisdiction enlarged, but a court whose powers rested 
only on general acquiescence was manifestly inadequate to the 
demands of the growing community, and its authority was weakened 
when Davidson County was established by State authority. The 
situation was relieved by the governor. He appointed Isaac Bledsoe, 
Samuel Barton, Francis Prince, and Isaac Lindsay judges of the 
" Inferior Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions" for Davidson County. 
This court was organized October 6, 1783, at Nashborough. Andrew 
Ewing who was at the time clerk of the Court of the Notables, was 
appointed clerk of the new court. The " Cumberland Compact " now 



Cumberland, i 783-1 790. 103 

passed out of existence, except so far as its precedents served to sup- 
plement the laws of iNorth Carolina. 

160. J 784. — In this year the name of Nasliborough was changed 
to Nashville. It was in August of this year that the movement 
began to establish the State of Franklin. In this movement David- 
son County took no part. Of the four counties of Tennessee, Wash- 
ington, Sullivan, and Greene were geographically connected, and 
were all the offspring of the Watauga settlement. Davidson Countj^ 
was geographically distinct. The two centers of population were 
about three hundred miles apart, with no common interests except 
sympath}^ and community of danger from Indian neighbors. It thus 
happened that the Cumberland had no share with the Watauga in the 
glory of King's Mountain, or in the organization of PVanklin. The 
time was not far distant, however, when the spread of population and 
the facilities for intercommunication should unite these tw^o communi- 
ties who began their careers so far apart. In June of this year 
occurred an event of dangerous import to the Western settlers, and 
especially to the citizens of Davidson County. The three Spanish 
governors met at Pensacola, Fla., and entered into a treaty with the 
celebrated Creek chief, Alexander McGillivray. It was the purpose 
of this treaty to bring the powerful Creek nation to the aid of the 
Cherokees and Chickamaugas, and to unite all the Southern Indians 
in the movement to drive the Cumberland settlers from the country.^ 
It was well for the Cumberland people that hardy immigrants were 
coming to aid them to meet this new danger. 

161. New Counties. —With the increase and spread of popula- 
tion came the necessity for establishing new counties. November, 1786, 
Sumner County was formed from Davidson. In November, 1788, Ten- 
nessee County was formed from Davidson. This latter county gave 
up its name when the State of Tennessee was admitted, and its terri- 
tory was divided and organized into two counties. 

162. The Coldwater Expedition. — The Indian aggressions had 
become so atrocious in 1787 that Colonel Robertson determined to .sub- 
mit to them no longer. I,earning from the friendly Chickasaws that 
the Indian station, for carrying on their depredations, was located at 
Coldwater, a famous spring (now Tuscumbia, Ala.), he determined to 
carry the war into the enemy's countrj'. Taking two Chickasaw 
guides, one of whom was named Toka, he made a rapid march, with 
one hundred and thirty men, commanded by himself, Colonel Robert 

'Putnam, p. 221. 



I04 History of Tennessee. 

Hays, and Colonel James Ford. The expedition was conducted with 
secrecy and skill, and was entirely successful. The town of Cold- 
water was completel}^ surprised. The Indians were routed, almost 
without resistance. About twenty-six Creek warriors were killed, 
and a few other Indians. The town was destro3'ed, and a large store 
of goods was captured. These goods were the property of French 
traders. This led to a correspondence between General Robertson 
and Mons. Cruzat, the French commandant at St. Louis. ^ 

Colonel Robertson was severely censured for this expedition, and 
published a letter in defense of his action. 

163. Judicial Districts, — In November, 1784, the Judicial District 
of Washington was created by the General Assembly of North Caro- 
lina, including all of what is now Tennessee, and comprising Wash- 
ington, vSullivan, Greene, and Davidson counties. In November, 
1788, a new judicial district was cut off from Washington District, 
and was naraed Mero District. It comprised Davidson, Sumner, and 
Tennessee counties. The creation of Mero District marks not only the 
rapid development of Middle Tennessee, but also to the beginning of 
the second period of Spanish policy. 

J64. Mero District.' — Don Estevan Miro, in 17S8, was made 
Governor and Intendant of Louisiana and West Florida. With his 
administration came a change in the policy of Spain. The futility of 
the efforts to drive the Western settlers from the country had been 
demonstrated. Miro now began the policy of conciliation. He em- 
ployed agents to win the confidence and favor of the Western people, 
to inflame their resentment against the coldness to their interests 
which had been shown by the Federal Government, and to offer the 
inducements of the free navigation of the Mississippi, and the sup- 
pression of Indian hostilities, as the price of establishing a Western 
republic in alliance with Spain. The whole of this policy was not at 
first revealed, but its pacific character was gratifying to the West, and 
especially to the Cumberland people, who had .suffered most from 
Spanish diplomacy. 

When the new Western judicial district came to be named, it 
was a stroke of policy, as well as an expression of gratitude, to name 

^See correspondence of General James Robertson, American Historical 
Magazine, Vol. I, No. i, p. 76 (January Number, 1896). 

-An interesting account of Mero District may be found in the article of 
Colonel John Allison, American Historical Magazine, Vol. I, No. 2, p. 115 (April 
Number, 1896); also, Dropped Stitches, in Tennessee History, p. 86. The 
student may also consult American Historical Magazine, pp. 87, 88, 109-112. 



Thk Southwkst Territory. 105 

it in honor of Don Estevan Miro, the exponent of the new and appar- 
ently friendly policy of Spain. In giving the name, however, it 
assumed the English spelling with the Spanish pronunciation. It is 
said that the name was suggested by James Robertson.^ 

i65* The Second Cession* — The time had now arrived when 
the two distant settlements of Watauga and the Cumberland had so 
expanded that thej^ had reached out toward each other, and were 
ready to unite in one government. The Constitution of the United 
States had been adopted by the convention in 1787. It had been 
ratified by a sufficient number of States, and went into operation in 
1789. George Washington, as president, had inspired the whole 
country with confidence in the benevolence and firmness of the 
Federal government. North Carolina had held aloof from the Union, 
and took no part in the first presidential election. Finally, her 
objections were overcome, and she entered the Union. One of her 
first acts MTas to make to the United States a second cession of her Western 
territory, which is now Tennessee. The deed of cession was made 
February 25, 1790, and was very differently received from the former 
cession. There were many reasons for this. The Congress of the 
Confederation had passed the ordinance of 1787 for the government of 
the Northwest Territory, and had outlined its territorial policy. The 
people felt more confidence in the new Federal government than they 
had felt in the Confederation. The second act of cession by North 
Carolina contained provisions and stipulations for the protection of 
the people of the ceded territory which the first cession had not con- 
tained. The whole territorial question was now better understood, 
and the people of Tennessee saw that it was the most speedy means 
to acquire separate statehood. The cession act was, therefore, 
cordially received in 1790. 



CHAPTER XVI. 
THE SOUTHWEST TERRITORY. 

i66* Organization, — The cession of North Carolina was accepted 
by Congress April 2, 1790. June 8, President Washington commis- 
sioned William Blount, Governor of the Territory of the United States 

'In this connection refer to the correspondence of General James Robertson 
with McGillivray and Miro, American Historical Magazine, Vol. I, pp. 80-88, 
107-112 (January number, 1896.) Putnam and Roosevelt are in error in assigning 
the Miro letter to the year 1783. 



io6 



History of Tennessee. 



South of the River Ohio. ^September 20, Governor Blount took the 
oath of ofiice before James Iredell, one of the Associate Justices of 
the Supreme Court. October 22, he performed his first ofiicial act as 
governor by laying off and organizing ' ' Washington County in the 
Territory of the United States of America South of the River Ohio." 
This act was speedily followed up by "laying off and organizing" the 
remaining counties embraced in the North Carolina cession into cor- 
responding counties of the ' ' Territory of the United States South of 
the River Ohio," viz.: Sullivan, Greene, Davidson, Sumner, Haw- 
kins, and Tennessee counties. 

J67, County Or§:ani2at:on CompIete<i. — As each county was 
designated and ' ' laid off, ' ' the governor made the administration of its 
affairs effective and complete by establishing courts and military 

organizations, and by appointing the 
county officers — justices of the peace, 
sheriffs, depvity sheriff's, constables, reg- 
isters, coroners, clerks of courts, county 
attorneys, militia officers, etc. He, also, 
issued licenses to practice law. Among 
those appointed county officers were 
John Sevier, James Robertson, James 
Winchester, Landon Carter, James Alli- 
son, David Allison, John Rhea, Charles 
Robertson, Edward Tate, James White, 
Stockly Donelson, Joseph McMin, Fran- 
cis Alexander Ramsey, John Rains, An- 
drew Ewing, Isaac Bledsoe, Kasper 
Mansker, Ezekiel Polk, Liike L,ea, 
Charles McClung, Nicholas Perkins, Howell Tatum, and others 
whose names are well known in the early annals. 

168. Judicial Districts. — ^The territory was divided into two 
judicial districts. The four eastern counties, Washington, Sullivan, 
Greene, and Hawkins, constituted the Judicial District of Washing- 
ton. The three western counties, Davidson, Sumner, and Tennessee, 
constituted the Judicial District of Mero. In each of the several 
counties, justice was administered b}^ the " Inferior Court of Pleas 
and Quarter Session," which consisted of justices of the peace, 

^ See Governor Blount's Journal, American Historical Magazine, Vol. II, pp. 
213-277 (July number, 1897),. This journal is an epitome of the history of the 
Southwest Territory. Names are given as spelled therein. 




William Blount, 
Governor of Southwest Territory, 
and United States Senator. 



1 



The Southwest Territory. 107 

appointed by the governor. This court was similar to our present 
county court, but was clothed with more extensive powers, judicial 
and legislative. The territorial courts were held in each of the two 
judicial districts. This court was styled the " Superior Court of Law 
and Equity." These judicial districts, serving as a convenient 
division of the territory, were also made military districts. 

169, Territorial Appointments by the President. — The principal 
ofl&cers of the territory were appointed by President Washington, as 
follows: William Blount, governor ; David Campbell, ' John McNairy, 
Joseph Anderson, judges " in and over the territory," etc.; ^Daniel 
Smith, secretary "in and over the territory," etc.; '^John Sevier, 
brigadier-general for Washington District, and ''James Robertson, 
brigadier-general for Mero District. 

In addition to his duties as governor of the territory, William 
Blount was, also, United States Superintendent of Indian Affairs. In 
his service, Hugh I^awson White, Willie Blount, and Richard Mitchell, 
were his secretaries. 

Governor Blount completed the territorial organization by 
appointing officers for a cavalry regiment for each of the two mili- 
tary districts, and subordinate judicial officers for each of the two 
judicial districts, and by licensing attorneys to practice in the supe- 
rior courts. 

170. Territorial Appointments by the Governor. — November 3, 
Governor Blount " appointed and commissioned Francis Alexander 
Ramsa}' Clerk of the Superior Court of L,aw for the District of Wash- 
ington, and Andrew Russell Clerk and Master in Equity in the Courts 
of Equit}' for the same District." 

"Appointed and commissioned in the cavalry of the District of 
Washington as follows : Thomas King, lieutenant-colonel ; Francis 
Alexander Ramsay, first major ; George Farragut (father of Admiral 

^John McNairy's name is not included as a territorial judge by Miller in his 
Official and Political Manual, p. i8o; nor by Putnam, p. 336. Putnam, however, 
on the same page, alludes to an affidavit taken before Judge McNairy. Blount's 
journal, American Historical Magazine, Vol. II, No.. 3, p. 230, states that John 
McNairy presented his commission, dated June 8, 1790, and was sworn into office 
December 15, 1790. He is several times officially mentioned in Blount's journal. 
June 5, 1793, an ordinance is addressed to David Campbell, John McNairy, and 
Joseph Anderson, judges " in and for the said territory." — Ibid., p. 255. 

'"^Putnam, also, leaves the inference that Daniel Smith was appointed by 
Governor Blount. The journal of Blount, however, American Historical Maga- 
zine, p. 231, shows that he was appointed by President Washington. 

^Putnam is, likewise, mistaken in stating that Sevier and Robertson were 
commissioned major generals. 



io8 History of Tennessee. 

Farragut), second major." He also appointed the company officers 
for the cavalry regiment.^ November i, he licensed Archibald Roan, 
Joseph Hamilton, Waightstill Avery, and James Rees " to practice as 
attorneys in the several courts of law and equity." November 22, a 
similar license was granted to John Rhea. December 15, the same 
day on which the District of Mero was organized, license " to practice 
as attornies in the several courts of law and equity in the Territory" 
was granted to Josiali I^ove, John Overton, Aridrciv Jackson, David 
Allison, Howell Tatum, James Cole Mountflorence, and James White. ^ 
On the same date the following field officers were appointed for the 
cavalry in Mero District : Robert Hays, lieutenant-colonel ; Edwin 
Hickman, first, major; George Winchester, second major, together 
with the usual complement of company officers. 

David Allison was appointed Clerk of the Superior Court of Law 
for Mero District, and Joseph Sitgreaves Clerk and Master in Equity. 
February 15, 1791, William Cocke was appointed Attorney-General 
for the District of Washington, and Andre^v Jackson for the District 
of Mero.^ Somewhat later, September 10, 1792, Andrew Jackson 
received his first military appointment, "Judge- Advocate for the 
Davidson Regiment." 

J 7 J. Governor Blount^s Policy* — Governor Blount showed, in 
the organization of the territory, great executive ability and tact, as 
well as a just regard to the rights and wishes of the people. He fully 
understood that the people were satisfied with the territorial govern- 
ment only because they looked upon it as an apprenticeship to prepare 
them for statehood. He, therefore, called their trusted leaders to his 
councils, and secured their hearty cooperation. Although clothed, as 
Governor, with autocratic powers, he exercised them in such a way 
as to appear, and really to be, an instrument for executing the popular 
will. This plainly appears from the following entry in his journal: 
"These and all other commissions issued by the governor, were to 
continue during good behavior or the existence of the temporary 
government of the United States of America South of the River 
Ohio." He facilitated every step towards statehood. This wise 
and magnanimous course made him trusted and beloved by his 
people, and furnished one of the few instances in American history 
of a popular autocrat. 

' Blount's Journal in American Historical Magazine, Vol. II, p. 229 (July 
number, 1897). 

'^Ibid., pp. 227, 229, 232. 
'•Ibid., pp. 234, 247. 



The Southwest Territory. 109 

J 72. The Territorial Legislature. — The people of the ' ' Territor)- 
of the United States South of the River Ohio " asserted the right which 
the American people always exercise towards institutions which they 
love. They abridged the long name by which their Territory was 
known in legislation, and assigned to it the popular soubriquet of the 
"Southwest Territory." Although this name was never recognized 
in Federal legislation, yet it came to be almost universally adopted by 
the whole country, and generally by historians. 

' ' The Southwest Territory ' ' now demanded a territorial legis- 
lature. Governor Blount sympathized with this demand. October 
19, 1793, he issued an ordinance affirming that proof had been made 
"that there are five thousand and upwards of free male inhabitants of 
full age in the said Territory." He caused a census to be taken, and 
ordered an election for representatives to the Territorial legislature 
to be held on the third Friday and Saturday of December, "qualified 
as provided by the Ordinance of Congress of July 13, 1787." The 
election was duly held, and the Territorial legislature assembled at 
Knoxville, February 24, 1794.-^ 

1 73. The Personnel of the Legislature. — This legislature consisted 
of thirteen members. It is interesting to note their names: David 
Wilson of Sumner, speaker ; Leroy Taylor and John Tipton of 
Washington, George Rutledge of Sullivan, Joseph Hardin of Greene, 
William Cocke and Joseph McMinn of Hawkins, Alexander Kelly and 
John Beaird of Knox, Samuel Wear and George Doharty of Jefferson, 
James White of Davidson, and James Ford of Tennessee. Hopkins 
Lacy was elected clerk. The following were nominated by the legis- 
lature to compose the Council of the Territory: James Winchester, 
William Fort, Stockly Donelson, Richard Gammon, David Russell, 
John Sevier, Adam Meek, John Adair, Griffith Rutherford, Pennenas 
Taylor, from which number Griffith Rutherford, John Sevier, James 
Winchester, Stockly Donelson, and Permenas Taylor, were selected 
and commissioned, by President Washington. 

J 74. Progress. — During the six years of the existence of the 
Territory, the following new counties were established: Jefferson and 
Knox, in 1792, by ordinance of the Governor; Sevier, in 1794, and 
Blount, in 1795, by act of the Territorial Legislature. By ordinance of 
the governor, March 13, 1793, an additional judicial district was 
established comprising the counties of Jefferson and Knox, and desig- 
nated Hamilton District. 

' American Historical Magazine, Vol. II, pp. 257-262. 



History of Tennessee. 



175. Indian Outrages^^While the country was making steady 
progress under the Territorial organization, the people, and especially 
those residing in the western portion, were subjected to daily incur- 
sions of the Indians. The Spanish diplomacy had now fully devel- 
oped. The Spaniards had gained complete control over the Chero- 
kees, Chickamaugas, Creeks, and Choctaws. The Chickasaws 'alone 
had resisted all their blandishments and remained the faithful allies of 
the Cumberland people. The other tribes under the influence of the 
crafty Creek chief, McGillivray, continued to maintain the anomalous 
position of peace with the United States and war with the people of 

the Southwest Territory. This 
murderous guerrilla warfare was 
conducted by small parties, who 
perpetrated outrages and then re- 
treated into their own territory 
where the settlers were not al- 
lowed to follow them, being re- 
strained by imperative orders from 
the Federal government. They 
thus escaped detection, and each 
tribe denied participation in the 
outrages. 

176. The Federal Government 
Deceived. — While Spanish agents 
were secretly inciting, and even 
bribing the Indians to continue 
hostilities, and were aiding them 
with arms and supplies, the Spanish representatives at Washington 
were professing friendship, and using adroit means to convince the 
Federal authorities that the hostility of the Indians was caused by the 
aggressions of the white settlers. With apparent sincerity they ten- 
dered the service of Spain to aid in pacifying the Indians, and held out 
as a bait the readiness of Spain to enter into a favorable treaty for the 
navigation of the Mississippi. So plausible and successful were their 
representations as to dazzle the ill-balanced mind of Secretary 
Timothy Pickering, and even to mislead the calm judgment of George 
Washington. 

177. Unjust Sentiment of New England. — To make matters 
worse, a strong sentiment of jealousy to the Southwest grew up 
among the people of New England and the Atlantic seaboard. This 




^^^^K-*^^ 



Taii-Ciiee, Cherokee Chief. 



The Southwest Territory. i i i 

jealousy arose partly from political, and partly from commercial 
reasons. The Northeastern politicians feared that the admission of 
new Western States would tend to destroy their political influence, 
and the merchants feared that the free navigation of the Mississippi 
River would create a commercial rival at its mouth. The influence 
of the Northwest thus united with Spanish influence to impede 
Western progress.^ 

J 78-. The Separatists. — Instill another direction Spanish diplo- 
macy was exerted, and reached a certain point of success. Agents 
were sent to inflame the Western people against the Federal govern- 
ment, and to urge them to form a separate Western republic in 
alliance with Spain. This movement was more successful in Ken- 
tucky than in the Southwest Territory. Some of the Western leaders 
were bribed, and a party of .separatists was formed. With the excep- 
tion of some diplomatic correspondence with Sevier, at a time when 
the Franklin government was in extremity, and with Robertson, 
when the very existence of the Cumberland settlement was imperiled 
by Indian hostilities, this phase of Spanish intrigue made little 
progress in Tennessee. After the organization of the territory, its 
influence was hardly felt. The contemporaneous intrigues of the 
French Minister Genet were, likewise, without effect in the Southwest 
Territory. For this reason the Indian hostilities were the more 
relentlessly' pressed against the Southwest Territory, and especially 
against Mero District. 

J 79. Indian Atrocities. — The six 3'ears of the existence of the 
Southwest Territory was a period of constant struggle with the In- 
dians. The annals are full of Indian atrocities, depredations, murders, 
mutual complaints to the Federal authorities, conferences, treaties; 
all interspersed with occasional battles. Throughout the period, is 
found Indian aggression, accompanied by restrictions and reprimands 
from the Federal government to the territory, amounting almo.st to 
denying the people the right of self-defense.- Dviring the year 1792 

'The student may perhaps doubt the accuracy or the candor of our own 
historians — -Haywood, Ramsey, and Putnam. He is referred to a distinguished 
author, who is a native of the Northeast, a candid and accurate historian, a 
soldier in the Spanish war, now Governor of New York ( 1900), and one of the ablest 
statesman in the United States. He paints a passionless and vivid picture of the 
injustice of the Northeastern States toward the Southwest during this period, and 
clearly portra3'S the Spanish intrigues. See Roosevelt's "Winning of the West," 
Vol. Ill, Chap. 3, and especially pp. 9S-106 ; also, Vol. IV, pp. 101-171. 

'^ See Haywood, Ramsey, Putnam, Roosevelt, Blount's Journal, Correspond- 
ence of James Robertson, American Historical Magazine, etc. 



112 History op Tennesse;e. 

more than sixty of the inhabitants were murdered near their own firesides 
by skulking parties of Indians, among whom were Col. Anthony Bled- 
soe, and three sons of Valentine Sevier; a much larger number were 
wounded, among whom were Gen. James Robertson, and his son ; many 
were carried off as prisoners. The Knoxville Gazette published a list 
of twenty-one citizens of the territory held in slavery by the Creeks. 

J80. Indian Battles. — Although pretending to be at peace, and 
endeavoring to avoid detection in their piratical excursions, the In- 
dians were occasionally guilty of such overt acts that the identity of 
the perpetrators could not be concealed. Such invasions were open 
acts of war, yet the Federal authorities, who claimed the right to con- 
trol the Indian relations, pursued the policy of chiding the inhabitants 
of the territory for provoking the Indians, prohibiting retaliation, and 
declaring that the Indians were in a state of peace. The Indians, thus 
unchecked became every day more aggressive. June 26, 1792, a strong 
band of Creeks attacked and captured Zeigler's Station, a block-house 
fort near Cairo in Sumner County. ^About thirty persons, including 
women and children, had taken refuge in this fort. Of these, "five were 
killed, four wounded, eighteen taken prisoners, three or more escaped." 

181* Blount Deceived. — Previous to the capture of Zeigler'sStation, 
General Robertson had received notice from Opiomingo, the friendly 
chief of the Chickasaws, that the Creeks were planning an invasion. 
He entreated permission to anticipate the movement by attacking them 
in their own country, but was prohibited by Governor Blount, acting 
under instructions from the Federal authorities. The remedy which 
Blount proposed was to hold a friendly conference with the Indians. 
May 26, he wrote Robertson, informing him of a conference which 
he had just held at Coyatee at which 2,000 Indians were present, who 
saluted the American flag with demonstrations of affection, and met 
Governor Blount with faces beaming with joy. The chiefs. Bloody Fel- 
low, John Watts, Kittageska, and others declared themselves advocates 
for peace amid the acclamations of the assembled Indians. A similar 
meeting had been held a short time previously in Georgia between 
Superintendent Seagrove and McGillivray at the head of 2,000 Creeks. 
He is fully persuaded that Indian troubles are at an end, and thus 
concludes his letter: " I rejoice in my visit to Coyatee, The happy 
consequences in this quarter appear evident." The first act in the 
sequel has already been narrated. Just one month after the conference 
at Coyatee occurred the invasion which resulted in the capture of 

^ Putnam, p. 378. 



The Southwkst Territory. 113 

Zeigler's Station. This was to be followed in a short time by a .still 
more formidable invasion. 

182. Blounfs Vacillation.— The capture of Zeigler's Station had 
taught the lesson of watchfulness to the people of Mero District, but 
not to Governor Blount. Even after the capture of Zeigler's Station 
his delusion remained. Disturbed for a few days by positive informa- 
tion of Indian preparations, he ordered General Robertson, September 
12, to call out his brigade for defense. His suspiqions being lulled to 
sleep by fresh assurances from the Indian chiefs, he sends to General 
Robertson, September 14, an order to disband the brigade, and says: 
' ' I heartily congratulate you and the District of Mero upon the happy 
change of affairs. I had really dreadful apprehensions for you. ' ' Two 
days later, September 16, Governor Blount again became alarmed, and 
ordered General Robertson and General Sevier to muster their brigades 
into active service at once. He wrote to Robertson : ' ' The danger is 
imminent; delay not an hour." The letter arrived one day too late.^ 
Before its arrival the Indians had already openly declared war against 
the United States, had ,.82«*- -i 

invaded Mero Dis- 
trict, and the battle of ^/:_ ^^ 
Buchanan's Station • -3- 
had been fought. ^^ 

183. Buchanan's 
Station.— The defense 
of Buchanan's Station "^ife?li 
was one of the most ' 7""" 
heroic and successful 
in the history of In- 
dian warfare. An In- 
dian force of Creeks, 
Cherokees, Chicka- 
maugas, and Shaw- 
nees, commanded by 
the famous chief, John Watts, one of Governor Blount's " champions 
of peace," at the conference at Coyatee, had furtively approached 
this little block-house, and at midnight, September 30, while all but 
the guards were asleep, completely surrounded the inclosure, and 

'American Historical Magazine, Vol. II, pp. 61, 65 (January number, 1897); 
Putnam, pp. 385, et. seq. 

'American Historical Magazine, Vol. II, pp. 71, 77 ; Putnam, pp. 390, ei seq. 



■\ 




Old Fort Ridley— Near Buchanan's Fort. 
From Picture in Featherstonhaugh. 



114 History of Tennessee. 

rushed to storm the fort. Suddenly aroused, the garrison of fifteen 
men sprung to the defense, aided and encouraged by three or four 
women. During several hours of fierce and unremitting assault, they 
made good the defense against a force variously estimated from three 
hundred to nine hundred, inflicting upon their assailants a severe re- 
pulse. Conspicuous in the fight was Mrs. Sally Buchanan in command 
of her female corps. They loaded guns, supplied the men with 
ammunition, acted as sentinels to watch doors and port-holes; when 
the supply of bullets began to fail, they molded bullets; and on 
pressing occasions fired upon the enemy. Towards morning the re- 
port of the swivel at Nashville was heard. This is a signal to the hard 
pressed little garrison that their distress is known to their brethren, 
and General Robertson is marching to their relief. The Indians 
understood the signal and silently retired. In the morning it was 
discovered that many of the Indians were mounted, and had carried 
off their dead and wounded. Three chief were killed — Kiachatalee, 
a Cherokee; Tom Tunbridge's stepson, a Cherokee, and a Shawnee 
chief. Seven were known to be wounded, among them John Watts, 
the leader of the expedition. From blood and other signs left on the 
ground, it was conjectured that many others were killed or wounded. ^ 

184. Invasion of Washing-ton District. — After the severe blows 
dealt upon the Indians in 1781 by Campbell and Sevier, and in 1783 
by Sevier, which had been followed by the Treaty of Hopewell, in 
1785; and the repetition of these blows by Sevier in 1788, fol- 
lowed by the Treaty of Tellico in 1789, and the treaty of Holston in 
1 79 1, Washington District had been freed from any general invasion, 
although suffering from petty depredations. The vengeance of the 
Indians had been wreaked upon the more exposed and weaker settle- 
ments of Mero District. After the adoption of the Constitution of 
the United States by North Carolina, and the organization of the 
Southwest Territory, the Federal policy had tied the hands of the 
inhabitants of Mero District, and placed them at the mercy of the sav- 
ages. This weak policy now bore its legitimate fruit. The Indians 
had committed so many outrages unchecked that they began to despise 
the white people, and boldly declared war against the United States. 
Instigated by McGillivray in the Spanish interests, thej^ decided to 
invade the more populous and stronger settlements of Washington 
District. 

^American Historical Magazine, Vol. I, pp. 247-252 (July uumber, 1896); 
Vol. II, pp. 77-82; Putnam, pp. 392-397. 



The Southwest Terkitokv. 115 

I85, Defeat of Captain Handly. — The invasion of Washington 
District was begun by small bands of Indians, moving furtively through 
the country, committing murder and theft. These parties soon became 
larger and bolder. InNovember, 1793, Capt. Samuel Handly, under the 
order of General Sevier, was marching from Kingston with a mounted 
company of about sixty men, on his way to report to General Robertson 
at Nashville. There had been some rumors of Indians infesting the 
Cumberland Mountains, but Captain Handly did not expect to meet 
any formidable Indian force. While marching carelessly, he was 
suddenly attacked, near Crab Orchard, on the Cumberland Moun- 
tains, by a strong party of Cherokees, Creeks, and Shawnees, com- 
manded by the Indian chief, Middle Striker. Capt. Handly behaved 
bravely, but his men were panic-stricken, and were utterly routed, 
with a loss of about twenty of their number in killed and wounded. 
Captain Handly was wounded and captured. His experience as a pris- 
oner was somewhat similar to that of Capt. John Smith. The most 
romantic account of his captivity is that narrated by himself. ^ 

J86, Captain Beard^s Attack, — Governor Blount, Gen. James Rob- 
ertson and General Sevier petitioned the Federal authorities in vain for 
permission to retaliate by an invasion of the Indian country. The Indian 
depredations continued. The situation became intolerable. The indig- 
nant population demanded to be led against the Indians. Those living 
along the borders could not be entirely restrained. Captain Beard made 
an attack for which he was subsequently tried by court-martial, and 
acquitted. His act was disowned by the Territorial authorities, and 
agents were sent to appease the Indians, and offer reparation.^ 

Soon after the above event, an Indian force more than 1,000 
strong, composed of Cherokees and Creeks, destroj^ed Cavett Station, 
eight miles east of Knoxville, murdered the family of thirteen, except 
one boy, and ravaged the country. 

187. Sevier Invades the Indian Territory. — So great was the 
popular indignation that Gen. Daniel Smith, acting governor in the 
absence of Governor Blount, assumed the responsibility to authorize 
General Sevier to invade the country of the Cherokees and Creeks. 
Sevier, with a force of about six or seven hundred men, moved with 
his accustomed celerity, and his expedition was crowned with com- 
plete success. He marched right through the Cherokee country. 

' See narrative of Capt. Handly in American Historical Magazine, Vol. II, 
pp- 86-90. Ramsey, 571, 572. 

-American Historical Magazine, ^'ol. II, pp. 367, 368 (October No., 1897) 



ii6 History of Tennessee. 

Pausing for two or three days at Estiuaula, an Indian village, to 
refresh his men, he burned the town, and pursued his way to the 
Indian town Etowah^ (now Rome, Ga.), the Indians flying at his 
approach, and attempting no resistance, except an occasional skirmish. 
Upon reaching Etowah, October 17, 1793, he found an Indian force 
assembled under King Fisher (killed by Hugh Eawson White), one of 
their most noted leaders. Sevier made an immediate attack, and 
gained a complete victory. After burning the town, he led his troops 
home, having inflicted upon the Indians a crushing blow, and com- 
pleted his last campaign. This victory brought a cessation of Indian 
hostilities against Washington District. Although a few predator)^ 
bands subsequently assailed the frontiers, the wars were practically 
ended, and John Sevier, the greatest of Indian fighters, who had 
" fought thirty-five battles, and had been thirty-five times a victor," 
henceforward devoted his energies to the victories of peace. ^ 

J 88. Mero District Becomes the Battle-ground. — The tide of 
Indian warfare was now diverted to Mero District. The crafty 
McGillivray sought to direct his machinations against a weaker 
adversary. With a population much less in numbers, and more 
widely scattered, Mero District was more open to attack. 

It was fortunate for Washington District that Sevier had com- 
pleted his work during the governor's absence. It was unfortunate 
for Mero District that Robertson had not been permitted to make a 
similar campaign. The lower towns of the Chickamaugas, Nickajack, 
Running Water, and other villages, had become the rallying point for 
all hostile Indians. Protected by the Tennessee River in front, and 
by the regulations of the Federal government, the marauding parties 
found these towns convenient points of rendezvous, and secure points 
for retreat. From these points they harrassed the people of Mero 
District until the situation could no longer be endured. An atrocious 
outrage occurred April 21, 1794, near the northern boundary of Ten- 
nessee, in a locality which might have been supposed secure from 
attack. The two Bledsoe boys, both named Anthony, each of whom 
had lost a father by the hands of Indian banditti, one the son of 
Col. Anthony Bledsoe, and the other the son of Col. Isaac Bledsoe, 
were killed on Drake's Creek, in Sumner County, by a band of 
Indians supposed to be Creeks. Their mangled bodies were found, 

'Pronounced "Hightower." 

-Ramsey, pp. 5S3-589. American Historical Magazine, Vol. II, pp. 366-368 
(October number, 1897) ; Vol. Ill, pp. 77-79 ( January number, 1898). 



The Southwest Territory. 117 

partially stripped of clothing, and scalped. A negro man named Jack, 
who accompanied them, was captured and carried off by the Indians. 
The murder of these promising boys, who were beloved by all who knew 
them , caused deep grief and resentment among the settlers. These out- 
rages so wrought upon the mind of General Robertson that he deter- 
mined to throw aside the restrictions imposed on him by the Federal 
authorities, and by Governor Blount, and to act in defiance of orders. 

J89. Incidental Testimony.^ — The narrative of the murder of 
the Bledsoe boys has established, incidentally, two important facts. 
Our early historians have neglected to record the statistics of indus- 
trial improvements and of education. We can learn of the former 
only by a few permanent landmarks, which stand as monuments, 
and tell their own story ; and we learn of the latter only by tradition, 
aided by occasional incidental allusions of contemporaneous writers. 
The record of the murder of these two boys testifies to the facts that 
the fine old farm residence, "Rock Castle," was built previous to 
1794, out of rock quarried in the neighborhood, and that country 
schools had been established outside of Nashville previous to 1794. 

Gen. Daniel Smith was born in Fauquier County, Virginia, Octo- 
ber 29, 1748, and died at his residence. Rock Castle, in Sumner 
County, Tennessee, June 16, 1818, and is buried in the family ceme- 
tery near his residence. He was an accomplished civil engineer, and 
was one of the commissioners of Virginia in locating the line which 
is now the northern boundary of Tennessee. Subsequently he re- 
moved to Tennessee, and became one of the most distinguished of 
its pioneers. He served as Secretary of the Southwest Territory, as 
United States Senator from Tennessee, succeeding Andrew Jackson, 
as commissioner in treating with the Indians, etc. He was the author 
of a geography of Tennessee, containing the first map of the State 
made from actual surveys, published in Philadelphia by "Matthew 
Carey, book-seller." He located an extensive grant of land on 
Drake's Creek, near Hendersonville, in Sumner County. This tract 
of land has never passed from his descendants, or been divided. It 
is now the property of his great granddaughter, Mrs. Horatio Berry, 
After being increased by the purchase of adjoining lands, it contains 

^ The narratives of the early historians differ slightly. A careful study will 
make it clear, that "Searcy"' Smith is a misprint for ''Secretary'' Smith, and later 
writers have perpetuated the error. See Haywood, p. 404 ; Ramsey, p. 607 ; Put- 
nam, pp. 470, 502 ; Guild's Old Times in Tennessee, p. 26; Carr's Early Times in 
Middle Tennessee, pp. 41, 194. 



ii8 



History of Tennessee. 



more than four thousand acres, and is one of the most magnificent 
estates in Tennessee. Upon this tract, Daniel Smith built the stone 
house, which was famous in its day, and is now historic. It was built 
under his own supervision from rock obtained from the ' ' stone quarry ' ' 
which he opened a few hundred yards from the site. The stones were 
cut and laid with such precision as to form a structure perfect in 
workmanship, and so substantial that not a crack in the walls can be 
found to-day. Though old-fashioned in style, it remains a monument 
to the engineering skill of its builder. According to the family 
legends, the house was built in 1784.^ The sad fate of the Bledsoe 
boys has placed on record that it was finished before 1794; for they 

were boarding in 
the house, going 
to school in the 
neighborhood, 
and were killed at 
the quarry on 
their way from 
school. As there 
is no record that 
there was any per- 
son at the quarry 
to take part in the 
fight, or to dis- 
cover the pres- 
ence of the In- 
dians, it may be 

inferred that their work had been finished, and the residence completed. 
The annexed picture, taken from a photograph of the building as it 
now appears, testifies to the progress which had been made in archi- 
tecture by the Cumberland pioneers within .a few years after they had 
planted their first colony, and began the conquest of the wilderness. 

J 90. Nicfcajack Expedition Planned. — There was then living 
near Nashville a young man who seemed appointed by Fate to be the 

' F. A. Michaux, who traveled through the country in 1802, and published a 
book in L,ondon in 1805, says: "Stopped at the house of General Smith, one of 
the oldest inhabitants of the country, where he had resided fifteen or sixteen 
years." This confirms the family legend. Michaux also sa3^s : " We likewise saw, 
eii passaiit, General Winchester, who was at a stone house that was building for 
him on the road ; this mansion, considering the country, bore the external marks 
of grandeur." 




Rock CA^TLii. 



The Southwest Territory. 119 

instrument for the destruction of the Chickamauga towns. In 1788, 
Col. James Brown, an old Revolutionary soldier, the father of Joseph 
Brown, was traveling with his family to settle on military lands 
which had been granted him near Nashville. After reaching the 
eastern portion of the Territory, he decided to travel the rest of the 
journey by water. The entire family, consisting of himself, his wife, 
five sons, and four daughters, together with a party of five men, ac- 
companied by several negroes, embarked in a river boat, sometime in 
April or May. Descending the Tennessee River, the boat was passing 
the Chickamauga towns, when it was met by a fleet of Indian boats, 
and was captured by treachery. The father, with his two grown sons 
and the other five men, was brutally murdered, while the women, 
children, and negroes were made slaves. Young Joseph Brown, then 
about six years old, was held as a slave in the town of Nickajack for 
nearly a year. He and two of his sisters were released in exchange 
for prisoners captured by John Sevier. Later, his mother, his brother, 
and the other sisters were released or exchanged. Many of the In- 
dians insisted on killing young Joseph Brown at the time of his cap- 
ture. Especially, an old Indian woman prophesied that he would 
escape, and would be the means of destroying the town.^ In the 
summer of 1794, the time had arrived when the prophecy of the old 
Indian woman was to be verified. Joseph Brown was sent, as the guide 
of a scouting party under Colonel Roberts, to select a route suitable 
for the invasion of the Chickamauga towns, and was subsequently 
one of the guides of the invading force. September 6, of the same 
year. General Robertson ordered Major Ore to invade the Indian 
country and destroy the Chickamauga towns. Major Ore, with 550 
mounted infantry, crossed the Tennessee River, and on September 13, 
1794, destroyed Nickajack and Running Water towns. The Indians 
were taken completely b}- surprise, and were routed with fearful 
slaughter. More than fifty were killed, and nineteen prisoners taken. 
The following extracts are taken from the report of Major Ore: "At 
Nickajack were found two fresh scalps, which had lately been taken 
at Cumberland, and several that were old were hanging in the houses 
of the warriors, as trophies of war; a quantity of ammunition, powder 
and lead, lately arrived there from the Spanish Government, and a 
commission for the Breath, the head man of the town, who was killed, 
and sundry horses, and other articles of property, were found, both 
at Nickajack and the Running Water, which were known by one or 



' Putnam, pp. 304-308 ; Ramsey, pp. 50S-517. 



I20 History of Tennessee. 

other of the militia to have belonged to different people, killed by the 
Indians." 

"Two nights before the destruction of Running Water, a scalp 
dance had been held in it, over the scalps lately taken from Cumber- 
land, at which were present, John Watts, the Bloody Fellow, and the 
other chiefs of the lyOwer Towns, and at which they determined to 
continue the war, in conjunction with the Creeks, with more activity 
than heretofore, against the frontiers of the United States, and to erect 
block- houses at each of the Lower Towns, for their defense, as advised 
by the Spanish Government."^ 

1 9 J. Resentment Against the Federal Government. — General 
Robertson was severely censured by Governor Blount and by the 
Federal authorities for authorizing the Nickajack expedition. These 
censures led him to resign his commission as brigadier-general. He 
had the satisfaction, however, to know that his course met the 
enthusiastic approval of his people. The Secretary of War refused to 
pay the troops engaged in Sevier's invasion and in the Nickajack 
expedition. When an appeal was made to Congress, in 1798, for the 
pay of these soldiers, the Secretary of War, James McHenry, reported 
that the Nickajack expedition was ''offensive, unaiithoi^ized, and in 
violation of orders.'' Notwithstanding this adverse report Congress 
passed the bill making appropriation for their pay. The Territorial 
Legislature, early in September, 1794, sent a memorial to Congress 
petitioning a change in the Federal policy, and [^annexing a list of 
Indian atrocities — showing that betw^een February 26 and Septem- 
ber 6, 1794, sixty-seven citizens of the Territory had been killed by 
the Indians, ten wounded, and twenty-five captured, and that three 
hundred and seventy-four horses had been stolen. On the 24th of 
the same month, Hon. James White, the Territorial delegate, was 
instructed to lay before Congress this memorial, with an additional 
list, showing that one hundred and five citizens of the Territory had 
suffered by the cruelty of the Indians, " and to assure His Excellency 
that if the people of this Territory have borne with outrages which 
stretch human patience to the utmost, it was through our veneration 
for the head of the Federal Government," etc. Notwithstanding this 
"veneration" for President Washington many residents of the Ter- 
ritory felt deep resentment, even against him. Among these was 
Andrew Jackson who a few years later as Representative in Con- 

' Ramsey, pp. 616, 617. Putnam, pp. 4S4, 485. 



The Southwest Territory. 121 

gress from the State of Tennessee, when the resolution of confidence 
and thanks to the retiring President came up for action, voted "No." 

J92. Indian Wars Ended, — Sevier's invasion, and the Nickajack 
expedition, followed by the news of General Wayne's victory in the 
North, and the threat of Kentucky to send General Logan with a 
large force to invade the country of the Cherokees and Creeks, broke 
the spirit of the hostile Indians. They sued for peace, which was 
granted. The wholesome lessons they had learned constrained them 
to a better observance of their treaty obligations. Although some 
minor depredations were subsequently committed along the borders 
they seemed to be acts of individual lawlessness, contrary to the wish 
of their tribes, and trifling in comparison with former outrages. 
^Numerous conferences, or "talks," or " treaties, " were held with 
the Indians, among others one at Tellico, December 28, 1794; 
another with the Cherokees, Chickasaws and Creeks, November 30, 
1795, and another June 24, 1796, etc., all of which conduced to peace 
and more friendl}' relations. 

193. Looking: to Statehood. — Even before the Nickajack expedi- 
tion the people of the Territory had begun to take steps looking to 
statehood. In addition to the higher political plane to which they 
would be elevated as citizens of an independent State, the people 
looked to statehood as a means of acquiring greater power to protect 
themselves from Indian hostilities. The stream of immigration had 
been steadily flowing in, and they believed that the population was 
now sufficient to entitle them to admission as a State. The Territorial 
Legislature now took the preliminary steps with the official sanction of 
the Territorial Governor. 



CHAPTER XVII. 

THE SOUTHWEST TERRITORY BECOMES THE STATE OF 

TENNESSEE. 

J 94. The Territorial Assembly Takes Preliminary Steps. — The 

first session of the Territorial Assembly met on the twenty-fifth day 
of August, 1794. It had no sooner met than it began to prepare the 
way for the admission of the Territory into the Union as a State. 
First, a resolution was passed, requesting the governor to cause a 
new census to be taken. Just before the session was prorogued an- 
■ Putnam, pp. 495, 496, 523. 



122 History of Tennessee. 

other resolution was passed, requesting that the sense of the people 
might be inquired into at the same time, touching the admission of 
the Territory into the Union as a State. 

J 95* Governor Blount Consults Members of Congress. — Governor 
Blount did not take any ofl&cial action under these resolutions. But 



Daniel Smith's 

(Publish 




he earnestly desired the admission of the Territory. He thought it 
best, however, to ascertain from members of Congress what steps that 
body would consider necessary to be taken. Up to this time, no 
Territory of the United States had been admitted into the Union, and 
statesmen differed as to what would be the correct mode of procedure. 
Dr. James White, the territorial delegate, after canvassing the matter 
privately, reached the conclusion that Congress could not be induced 
to act in advance of an application on the part of the Territory. He 



The Southwest Territory. 



12^ 



thought, if the people wished to be admitted into the Union, the 
proper procedure would be to call a convention for the purpose of 
framing a constitution, to take effect as soon as Congress should pass 
an act of admission. 

196, Governor Blount Calls the Assembly Together.- -This emi- 



\p — From Imlay 




nently wise suggestion determined the governor's course. Immedi- 
ately upon its receipt, he issued a proclamation calling an extraor- 
dinary session of the Assembly. Under this proclamation the 
Assembly met at Knoxville, on the last Monday in June, 1795, and 
passed an act providing for the enumeration of the inhabitants of the 
Territory. It authorized the governor, in the event such enumera- 
tion should disclose sixty thousand inhabitants, to call a convention 
for the purpose of framing a constitution for the permanent govern- 



124 History of Tennessee. 

ment of the State. But recognizing that the Territory might be 
found to contain less than sixty thousand inhabitants, the officers tak- 
ing the enumeration were directed to ascertain whether or not, in 
that event, it was the desire of the people that the Territory should be 
admitted as a State with such less number. From this enumeration 
it appeared that the Territory contained more than sixty-six thousand 
free inhabitants, and above ten thousand slaves. 

J 97. Call for a Constitutional Convention. — As soon as Governor 
Blount had ofl&cially ascertained the result of the enumeration, he 
issued his proclamation calling a constitutional convention to meet at 
Knoxville on the eleventh day of January, 1796. He thought it 
necessary to announce, in the same instrument, that the Territorial 
government would not cease until the convention should have framed 
and published a constitution. No one expected it to continue longer. 
The people believed the Territory, having attained the requisite popu- 
lation, was entitled to become a State by virtue of the original com- 
pact between the United States and the State of North Carolina. 
This view finally prevailed in Congress. 

J98. Constitutional Convention Meets. — The convention met at 
the time appointed. It was composed of five members from each of 
the eleven counties in the Territory. Among its members were many 
able men, such, for example, as Andrew Jackson, afterwards Presi- 
dent of the United States, and James Robertson, who is called the 
father of Tennessee. It is a notable fact that John Sevier was not a 
member. He was, at that time, a member of the Legislative Council, 
none of whom were members of the convention, although Governor 
Blount was its president. 

199. The Constitution of 1796. The provisions of the consti- 
tution were based, as those of Franklin had been, upon the Constitu- 
tion of North Carolina. Thomas Jefferson pronounced it the "least 
imperfect and most republican" system of government that had been 
adopted by any of the American States. Having completed the labor 
which had brought them together, the convention adjourned on the 
sixth day of February, 1796, after a session of twenty-seven days. 
Relying upon the compact under which they had become a Territory 
of the United States, they abandoned forever their condition of tute- 
lage, and constituted themselves an independent people, demanding 
admission to the Union as a matter of contract right, with a firm pur- 



The Southwest Territory. 125 

pose to continue as an independent State until that right should be 
recognized, ^ 

200. Governor Blount Notifies the President. — In obedience to 
the direction of the convention, Governor Blount, its president, for- 
warded to Secretary Pickering, at Philadelphia, by the hands of Major 
Joseph McMinn, a member of the convention, and subsequently Gov- 
ernor of the State, a copy of the constitution. At the same time he 
notified him that, when the General Assembly of Tennessee should 
meet, on the twenty-eighth of March, the temporary government 
would cease. 

201. The New State Goes into Operation. — This communication 
was received on the twenty-eighth of February, but was not trans- 
mitted to Congress until the eighth of April, eleven days after the 
State government had gone into operation. In the meantime the Sec- 
retary of the late Southwest Territor}' had made his last official report to 
the Secretary of State. Its Governor had accepted the office of Uni- 
ted States Senator, under the new State of Tennessee, and was on his 
way to Philadelphia, where Congress was in session. And "citizen" 
John Sevier, late in commission of the United States as legislative 
councilor, found himself, for the second time, at the head of an anoma- 
lous government, a self-constituted State, not yet recognized by the 
United States. This government, however, was destined to a brighter 
future than the daring, though amiable. State of Franklin. 

202. Application for Admission Made a Party Question. — The 
application of the State of Tennessee for admission to the Union was 
made a party question. The Federalists, who were essentially a sec- 
tional part}' , had long regarded with concern the commercial compe- 
tition, as well as political rivalry, that New England should expect 
from the daring pioneers of the Mississippi Valley. 

203. Rufus King; and the Free Navigation of the Mississippi. — 
Ten years before, when Mr. Jay advised that the United States should 
abandon to Spain the exclusive navigation of the Mississippi River 
for twenty-five or thirty years, but that Spain should in return pur- 

' In the Constitutional Convention of 1796, "It was then moved by Mr. 
Outlaw, and seconded by Mr. Anderson, whether it is the sense of this house that 
if we should not be admitted by Congress, as member States of the general gov- 
ernment, that we should continue to exist as an independent State. Mr. Cocke 
moved, and was seconded by Mr. David Shelby, that the above question be post- 
poned, which was objected to ; the question was then put, and carried in the 
affirmative." This is all the record. Journal of the Constitutional Convention of 
1796, p. 23. 



126 History of Tennessee. 

chase many articles from the United States, of which whale oil and 
codfish were especially insisted upon, Rufus King moved to repeal the 
clause in the instructions given to Mr. Jay by which the free naviga- 
tion of the Mississippi had been declared a shie qua 7ion in his nego- 
tiations with Spain, and all New England supported him.^ 

204. Rufus King Reports against Admission. — Rufus King was 
now chairman of the Senate committee to which the President's mes- 
sage was referred. He brought in a long report opposing the admis- 
sion of Tennessee, on the grounds, (i) that Congress should first 
declare the whole territory ceded by North Carolina to be one State, 
and (2) provide for the enumeration of its inhabitants under the 
authority of the Federal Government. 

205. The House Passes the Bill for Admission. — The House, 
under the leadership of such men as Thomas Blount, a brother of 
Governor William Blount, and Madison and Gallatin, took a different 
view of the matter. They held that the Territory, having attained a 
population of sixty thousand free inhabitants, and adopted a repub- 
lican form of government, thereby became a State of the Union, en- 
titled to all the rights and privileges of statehood. Accordingly, they 
passed a bill for its admission on the sixth day of May, by a vote of 
forty-three to thirty. 

206. The Senate and House Reach an Agreement. — On the 
twenty-sixth of May the Senate passed a bill, by a vote of fifteen to 
eight, laying out into one State the territory ceded by the State of 
North Carolina to the United States, and providing for the enumera- 
tion of its inhabitants. The House proposed an amendment, substi- 
tuting the provisions of their bill, which was disagreed to by the 
Senate. At the request of the House, conference committees were 
appointed, and on the thirty-first of May the Senate receded from 
their disagreement, the effect of which was to pass the House bill. 

207. Samuel Livermore Did Not Give Casting Vote. — It is a 
popular error that the bill passed the Senate b}' the casting vote of 
their President, pro tempore, Samuel lyivermore. This could not 
have been true, because, first, the President, pro tempore, did not 
have the right to give a casting vote ; and second, there was no 
division of the Senate. The State was indebted to Samuel Livermore 
for his generous support of the bill, by which he incurred the dis- 
pleasure of his constituents, but was more indebted for its passage at 
that time to the absence of Rufus King, who notified the Senate that 

^Ivife of William Blount, by Geu. Marcus J. Wright, pp. 127, 128. 



The Southwest Territory. 127 

he had accepted the appointment of Minister Plenipotentiary to the 
Court of London, and resigned his seat in that body eight days before 
the final action on the admission of Tennessee was taken. 

208. The Act Admittingf Tennessee Signed by President Wash- 
ington. — The bill being approved by President Washington on the 
succeeding day, which was the first day of June and the last day of 
the session, Tennessee became a member of the Federal Union — the 
first member erected out of a territory of the United States. ^ 

'On the action of Tennessee in the matter of her application for admission 
to the Union, see Journals of the Territorial Council ; of the Convention of 1796- 
and of the first and second sessions of the Legislature of Tennessee for 1796, 
reprinted by order of the General Assembly in 1852. The action of Congress on 
her application will be found in Benton's Abridgement of the Debates of Con- 
gress, and in the Annals of Congress. 



128 



The Indi 




[The following list of Indian treaties may be used as a topical analysis, and also, fo 
which no cessions of land are shown on the map are designated by letters. Those nude 



Nicholson's Treaty, 1721. 

Cutntning's Treaty, 1730. ' 

Oglethorpe's Treaty, 1732. 
Glenn's Treaty, 1755, November 24. 
Waddell's Treaty, 1756. 
Captain Jack's Grant, 1757, March i. 
lyittleton's Treaty, 1760. 
Grant's Treaty, 1761. 
Treaty of Augusta, 1763. 
Treaty of Hard Labor, 1768, October 14. 

Treaty of Fort Stanwix, 1768, November 5 (overlapped by 2). 
I. Treaty of Lochabar, 1770, October 18. 

1. Leases of Watauga Settlers and Jacob Brown, 1772 ^ nearly 
coincides with 3). 

2. Transylvania Purchase, 1775, March 17. 

m. Purchase of Carter's Valley, 1775, March 17. 

n. Purchase of Watauga Settlers and Jacob Brown, 1775, 
March 19. 

o. Second Purchase of Jacob Brown, 1775, March 25. (These 
purchases, n and o, nearly coincide with 3.) 



d. 



f. 

g- 
h. 
i. 

J- 

k. 



Averj-'s Treaty, 1777, J( 

Treaty of Nashboroug) 

First Franklin Treaty! 

Treaty of Hopewell, ij 

Second Franklin Treaj 

Blount's Treaty, 1791, I 

Knox's First Treaty, i \ 

Knox's Second Treaty I 

First Treaty of Tellicoj 

First Treaty of Tellicol 

Second Treaty of Tell ) 

Chickasaw Cession, i8( 

Creek Treaty, 1805. ' 

Third Treaty of Tellic|] 

Fourth Treaty of Tell J 

Fourth Treaty of Terjl 

Dearborn's Treaty, V\ 

Dearborn's Treaty, iSi 

Robertson and Meigs J 

Capitulation of the Cr( 



Treaties 



129 




iveuiant reference to the taap. The treaties are arranged chronological!}-, 
lich cessions of laud are shown on the map are designated by numbers.] 



Those under 



13, June (nearly coiucides with 4). 

;, May 31. 

Tovember 18. 

785, August 3. 

2. 

''ebruary 17. 

, June 26. 

'., October 2. 

S, October 2. 

804, October 24. 

ily 23. 

15, October 25. 

[805, October 27. 

1805, October 27. 

anuary 7. 

anuary 7. 

ity, 1S07, September n. 

, 1814, August 9. 



.)'. Graham's Two Treaties, 1816, March 22. 

,?. Jackson and Meriwether's Treaty, 1816, September 14. 

aa. Chickasaw Treaty, 1S16, September 20. 

14. Jackson and McMinn's Treaty, 1817, July 18. 

15. Great Chickasaw Cession, 1S18, October 19. 

16. Calhoun's Treaty, 1S19, February 27. 

17. Calhoun's Treaty, 1S19, February 27. 

18. Calhoun's Treaty, 1819, February 27. 

19. Calhoun's Treaty, 1819, February 27. 

20. Calhoun's Treaty, 1S19, February 27. 

21. Calhoun's Treaty, 1819, February 27. 

22. Calhoun's Treaty, 1S19, February 27. 

23. Calhoun's Treaty, 1S19, February 27. 

24. Overton's Treaty, 1S23. 

25. Overton's Treaty, 1823. 

bb. Barbour's Treaty, 1828, May 6. 

cc. Stokes and Ellsworth's Treaty, 1833, February 14. 
dJ. Vashon's Treaty (repudiated by President Jackson), 
February 10. 

26. Treaty of Removal, 1835, December 26. 



1834. 



130 History of Tennessee. 



CHAPTER XYIII. 

THE INDIAN TREATIES. 

[Suggestion to Teachers. — It is believed by the authors that the following chapter 
contains valuable iniormation, which has nowhere else been collated, with special reference to 
Tennessee history. It is important that pupils should acquire this information, but it is not 
necessary that they should memorize the mass of facts which are here thrown together.] 

209. Elarly Indian Treaties.— The first treaty with the Western Indians was made in 
1721, between Governor Nicholson, of South Carolina, and the Cherokees and Creeks. In April, 
1730, a treaty was made between Sir Alexander Cumming, on behalf of North Carolina, and the 
Cherokee Nation, at JVequasse, or Requasse, which was intended to secure the co-operation of that 
nation against French and Spanish encroachments in the West. At this treaty the crown of the 
Cherokee Nation was brought from Tenassee, their chief town, and presented to Sir Alexander 
Cumming, with the request to convey it to England and lay it at His Majesty's feet. Six Indian 
chiefs accompanied Sir Alexander to England on this mission, and concluded an additional 
treaty at Dover, June 30. In 1732, Governor Oglethorpe, of Georgia, made a treaty with the 
Creeks. After the conclusion of the treaty, the chief, Tomochichi, and his queen, accom- 
panied Oglethorpe on a visit to l,ondon. In 1750, a treaty was made between Colonel Waddell, 
on behalf of North Carolina, with Atta Culla CuUa, or the Little Carpenter, on behalf of the 
Cherokees, under which treaty Fort Dobbs was built. On November 24, 1755, a treaty was made 
by Governor Glenn, of South Carolina, with the Cherokees, by which the Cherokees ceded a 
large tract of territory to the King of England. In 1756, a treaty was made between Col. Hugh 
Waddell, on behalf of North Carolina, and the Cherokee and Catawba Indians. In 1760, and 
in 1761, treaties were made with the Cherokees, by authority of South Carolina — the first by 
Colonel Littleton, and the second by Colonel Grant. In 1763, the treaty of Augusta was made.* 
This treaty was follow, d, October 14, 1768, by the treaty of Hard Labor. = All of the above men- 
tioned treaties have an important bearing on the history of Tennessee as preliminary steps to 
its settlement, but none of them conveyed title to any land within the limits of the State. 

An article in a special council held on Tennessee River, March i, 1757, conveys to Capt. 
Patrick Jack, of Pennsylvania, in consideration of I400, a tract of fifteen miles square south 
of Tennessee River. In pursuance of this grant a deed was made by Arthur Dobbs, Governor 
of North Carolina, and Atta Culla Culla, or the Little Carpenter, half-king of the Cherokees, 
on behalf of the Cherokee Nation. This deed viras confir:ued by a general council, held in 1762. 

210. Tlie Treaty of Port Stanwlz. — The first general grant of land by the Indians, 
within the limits of the present State of Tennessee, was made by the Six Nations in the 
treaty at Fort Stanwix, conclu^ied November 5, 1768. This treaty conveyed a doubtful claim, 
which was subsequently productive of muck controversy, affecting not only the Tennessee 
settlers but presenting a vexatious question to Congress in the adoption of the articles of 
Confederation. 3 This treaty is not shown on the annexed map of Indian Treaties, the lauds 
which it purported to convey within the limits of Tennessee being covered by later treaties 
with other tribes. 

211. Treaty oi Locbabar. — This treaty was concluded at Lochabar, S. C, October 18, 
1770. It conveyed lauds in Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee. A portion of 
the lands embraced in this treaty lay in Tennessee and are shown in the annexed map, 
marked I. This portion in Tennessee overlaps the eastern part of the Henderson Purchase, 
marked 2.' 

212. Ijeases by tbe "Watauga Association and Jacob Brown.— In 1772, the Watauga 
Association leased for ten years, from the Cherokees, lands on the Watauga River. Jacob Brown 
made a similar lease for lands on the Nollichuckj'. The boundaries of these two leases are net 

^Anie, 46. 

^Anie, 49. 

=',4k/<?, paragraphs 50 and 51 ; Journals of Congress ; Bancroft (Centenary Edition) Vol. VI, 
pp. 30, 336, 337; Confederate Military History, Vol. I, article on "The South as a Factor in 
Expanding the Territory of the United States ; " Ramsey, pp. 74-77. 

*See ante, paragraph 53. 



The; Indian Treaties. 



131 



positively known. They are not shown on the annexed map, but coincide very nearly with the 
boundaries of the treaty marked 3.' 

213. Transylvania Purchase. — March 17, 1775, Richard Henderson and eight other per- 
sons, organized as the Transylvania Company, concluded a treaty with the Cherokees, at 
Sycamore Shoals, on the Watauga. For merchandise to the amount of |5o,ooo they purchased all 
the lands lying between the Kentucky, Ohio, and Cumberland rivers, and extending eastward 
along the north bank of the Holston to the point where it intersects the Virginia line ; thence 
westwardly along that line to the western boundary of the Lochabar Purchase, and north along 
that boundary to its intersection with Powell Mountain. The treaty embraced two deeds — known 
as the "Path Deed" and the " Great Grant." The main portion layin Kentucky, a small portion 
in Virginia, and a portion in Tennessee. As shown on the annexed map, the portion in Tennessee 
appears in two detached parts, each marked 2, being cut off by the State line. The eastern part 
is overlapped by the Lochabar Purchase, 
marked i. The legality of this purchase 
was not admittitted by Virginia or North 
Carolina. It covered a portion of the terri- 
tory to which the Six Nations had quit- 
claim at Fort Stanwix, and to which the 
Shawnees had recently quit-claim by a 
treaty in 1775, made with Lord Dunmorc, 
Governor ofVirgiuia. The purchase of the 
Transylvania Company served to extin- 
guish the claims of the Cherokees, but gave 
rise to a long series of bitter contioversies 
with the authorities of Virginia and North 
Carolina, and in Congress and the Federal 
courts. Finally the matter was compro- 
mised. Virginia granted the Transylvania 
Company 200,000 acres of land as compen- 
sation for the release of the company's 
claims. = 

The North Carolina Legislature, 17S3, 
granted to Landon Carter, the .son and heir 
of John Carter, who did not live many 
years after this transaction, and to the 
heirs of Robert Lucas, who was killed in 
defense of Davidson County, for their ex- 
pense, trouble and risk in making their 
purchase of land from the Cherokee In- 
dians, 10,000 acres of land on Clinch River, 
and in the same act granted Henderson and 
his associates 190,000 acres, making the 
whole 200,000 acres. ^ 

214. Tbe "Watauga Purchases.— 
During the conference at Sycamore Shoals, 

in March, 1775, the Cherokees made a deed to John Carter and Robert Lucas, conveying lands 
extending from Cloud's Creek to Chimney Top Mountain, and embracing Carter's Valley, in com- 
pensation for the robbery of Parker and Carter's Store by Cherokee Indians, and in further con- 
sideration of the payment of a sum of money.* Two days later, March 19, a deed was made 
conveying in fee simple to Charles Robertson, as trustee for the Watauga Association, the laud.son 
Watauga, which had heretofore been leased, in consideration of" the sum of ^2,000, lawful money 
of Great Britain, in hand paid." This deed is recorded in the register's office of Washington 
County, Tennessee, and prescribes the boundaries of the purchase. It is signed by the following 
Cherokee chiefs on behalf of the Cherokee Nation, viz.: Oconostota, Attacullecully, Tennessy 
Warrior, Willinawaugh. March 25, 1775, two deeds were executed by the C herokees to Jacob 

^Ante, paragraph 81. Ramsey, 109-111; Reports of Bureau of Ethnology for 1883-84, pp. 
146-148, article by Charles C. Royce. 

''Ante, paragraph 105; Ramsey, pp. 110-119; Report of Bureau of Ethnology, article of 
Charles C. Royce, 1883-18S4, pp. 148, 149. 

^Martin's Private Acts of North Carolina, page 116. 

*Ante, paragraph 81 ; Ramsey, p. 119. 




MclNTOSH — Creek Chief. 



132 History of Tennessee. 

Brown in consideration of ten shillings. One deed couvej-ed to him the tract which he had 
previously leased, and the other deed conveyed an additional tract, shown on map of the 
Watauga Settlements, marked Brown's Second Purchase. These several purchases are not 
shown on the annexed map of the Indian Treaties, but coincide very nearly with Avery's 
Treaty, marked 3.^ 

215. Avery's Treaty. — July 20, 1777, Commissioners Preston, Christian, and Shelby, on 
the part of Virginia, and Avery, Sharpe, Winston, and l,anier, on the part of North Carolina, 
met at Fort Henry, near Long Island, on the Holston, and concluded with the Cherokees a 
treaty which is known in Tennessee as Avery's Treaty. It confirmed the Watauga cessions 
made in 1775, and somewhat extended their boundaries. The portion of the cession included 
in Tennessee is shown on the annexed map, marked 3." 

216. Treaty of Nashborough.— The Treaty of Nashborough with the Chickasaws and 
Cherokees was made in June, 17S3. The Chickasaws ceded a large body of land which was 
not specifically designated on the annexed map, but which coincides very nearly with the 
cession of the Hopewell Treatj', marked 4. This treaty was never officially recognized by 
North Carolina, but was sacredlj' observed by the Chickasaws, and the official cession was 
completed by the Treaty of Hopewell. 

217. Treaties Made by the State of Franklin.— During the existence of the "State 
of Franklin," that State made two treaties with the Cherokees — one on the French Broad, 
near the mouth of Dumpliu Creek, May 31, 1785, the other at Coytoy, August 3, 1786. After 
the collapse of the short-lived State both these treaties were ignored, and the pioneers who 
had settled the country south of the French Broad and Holston adopted rules of government, 
and for a time exercised the functions of an independent government.^ 

218. Treaty of Hopewell or Hawkins' Treaty.— The articles of confederation were 
adopted in 1781 and the control of Indian affairs devolved upon the United States. The first 
Indian treaty made under Federal authority which conveyed land in Tennessee was the 
Treaty of Hopewell. The commissioners on the part of the United States were Benjamin 
Hawkins, Andrew Pickens, Joseph Martin, and Lachlan Mcintosh. This treaty is generally 
known in Tennessee as "Hawkins' Treaty." It was concluded at Hopewell, S. C, Novem- 
ber 18, 1785. So far as Tennessee was affected this treaty officially confirmed to the United 
States the same territory which the Chickasaws had previously granted informally at the 
Treaty of Nashborough in 1783,*' making the boundarj' lines more definite. At the conclusion of 
the treaty, goods valued at $1,311 JS. were distributed among the 918 Cherokees present. This 
treaty was made with the Cherokees, and was subsequently confirmed bj' the Chickasaws at 
Hopewell, January 10, 1786.^ The land convej'ed in Tennessee is shown on the annexed map, 

219. Treaty of Holston, or Blount's Treaty. '^-William Blount, Governor of the Ter- 
ritory South of the River Ohio, and vSuperintendent of Indian Affairs, representing the President 
of the United States at White's Fort, where Knoxville now stands, concluded, July 2, 1791, a 
treaty with the chiefs and warriors representing the Cherokee Nation. This treaty was 
ratified by the Senate November 9, 1791, and proclaimed by the President February 2, 1792. 
It contained many stipulations for peace and friendship and for the arbitration of contro- 
versies. In consideration of the delivery of certain valuable goods and the annual payment 
of |i,ooo, by the United States, the Cherokees renounce all claims to the large tract of land 
shown on the annexed map, marked 5. 

220. Knox's First Treaty.'— February 17, 1792, at Philadelphia, Henry Knox, Secre- 
tary of War, concluded with the chiefs and warriors of the Cherokee Nation a treaty, which 
amended Blount's Treaty, by increasing the annual payment to the Cherokees from $1,000 to 
|i,5oo. 

^Ante, Map of Watauga Settlements, and paragraph 81; Ramsey, pp. 119-122; Report of 
Bureau of Ethnology, 1883-1884, pp. 146-148. 

-Ante, paragraph 96 ; Report of Bureau of Ethnology, 1883-1884, pp. 150-151 ; Ramsey, pp. 
172-174; Haywood, pp. 503-514- 

" See post, I—. 

*'Ante, paragraphs 152, 153, 229. 

^Haywood, pp. 32, 33, 37; Report of Bureau of Ethnology, 1S83-1884, pp. 152-158. 
marked 4. 

•5 Haywood, 33; Report of Bureau of Ethnology, 1S83-1884, pp. 158-169. The Treaty of 
Hopewell, and all subsequent treaties up to the year 1819, made with the Cherokees Creeks 
and Chicka.saws are recorded in full in Scott's Edition of the Laws of Tennessee, Vol. II, pp! 
807-850; and in Haywood and Cobb's Laws of Tennessee, pp. 198-221. 

^Report of Bureau of Ethnolog^y, pp. 169-173. 




The Indian Treaties. 133 

221. Knox's Second Treaty,— June 26, 1794, Henry Knox, Secretary of War, concluded 
at Philadelphia a second treaty with the chiefs and warriors of the Cherokee Nation. By 
this treaty some disputes were settled in relation to the correct running of the boundary 
lines, and the annual payment to the Cherokees was increased to $5,000 — fifty dollars to be 
deducted for every horse stolen from the whites by the Cherokees. 

222. First Treaty of Telllco, or "Walton's Treaty.— October 2, 179S, a treaty was 
concluded between George Walton and Thomas Butler, commissioners in behalf of the United 
States, and the chiefs and warriors of the Cherokee Nation, in the Cherokee Council House 
near Tellico. This treaty contained the usual stipulations for peace and friendship, with 
regulations for intercourse between the whites and the Cherokees. It raised the price of 
stolen horses to |6o. It ceded to the United States certain lands, of which the two detached 
portions lying in Tennessee, are shown on the annexed map, marked respectively 6 and 7.1 
The United States agreed to pay for this cession j5,ooo, and an annuity of $1,000. 

223. Second Treaty ot Telllco Block House.— Daniel Smith and Return J. Meigs, 
commissioners on the part of the United States, concluded a treaty with the Cherokees at Tellico 
Block House, October 24, 1804, by which no laud 
was ceded within Tennessee. The copy of this 
treaty retained by the United States was lost, in 
consequence of which the treaty was not ratified 
for many years. Finally the Indians produced a 
duplicate copy. Upon this evidence the treat}- was 
ratified, and was proclaimed Maj' 17, 1S24. 

224. Chickasaw and Creek Treaties. — 
July 23, 1805, James Robertson and Silas Dinsmoor 
concluded with the Chickasaws a treaty relin- 
quishing all claims north of Duck River and east 
of the Tennessee, and all the disputed tracts on 
Elk River. A tract one mile square on Tennessee 
River, at the mouth of Duck River, was reserved 
for Okoye — marked on the map 25. The consid- 
eration for this cession was |20,ooo, to be paid by > 
the United States to the tribe, and f 1,000 each to -•-, 
be paid Colbert and Okoye, and an annuity to 

Chinnubbe, king of the tribe. The portion of this 
cession north of the mouth of Duck River is shown 

on the map, marked 8. In order to extinguish all „ _ _ „ 

,-X ., ^r •. , ^. . , .. Pushmataha- Chickasaw Chief. 

adverse titles the United States subsequently pur- 
chased the claims of the Cherokees to the disputed tracts on Elk River, at which the Chickasaws 
took offen.se. ^ 

In connection with this treaty with the Chickasaws an amusing correspondence is recorded 
which illustrates some of the methods used in dealing with the Indians. After examining the 
accounts, the Secretary of War, Henry Dearborn, wrote to General Robertson : " Among other 
extraordinary articles for an Indian treaty in the woods, for two commissioners, may be noticed 
raisins, anchovies, cinnamon, nutmegs, pickles, etc., amounting to near two hundred dollars." To 
this the commissioners replied that they never sat down to a meal with less than twenty-nine 
Indians at the table. They added :" When Indians eat, they eat indeed." . . . " One Indian 
can eat enough at one meal to last him a week. Whoever should see old Puckshunubbe, old 
Mussulatubbe, old Pushmataha, or a score of these old Falstaflfs in the woods at a feast, would 
suppose they were indeed eating a last meal."^ 

In the same year, 1S05, Return J. Meigs and Daniel Smith concluded a treaty with the 
Creeks by which the Creeks, in consideration of fourteen thousand dollars, released all claims to 
lands in Tennessee. These lands, being in dispute, were acquired by treaties with the Cherokees, 
and are shown ou the map under the Cherokee cessions. 

225. Tliird Treaty of Telllco.— Daniel Smith and Return J. Meigs concluded a treaty 
with the Cherokees, at Tellico Block House, October 25, 1805, by which a tract of land was 
ceded, lying in Kentucky and Tennessee. The portion in Tennessee is shown on the annexed 

^ Haywood, pp. 33, 34; Report of Bureau of Ethnology, 1883-1884, pp. 174-183. 
- Report of Bureau of Kthnolog^^, pp. 195, 196 ; Putnam, pp, 569-571 ; post paragraphs 
240 and 241. 

^Putnam, pp. 574, 575. 



134 History of Tennessee. 



map, marked 9.' For this cession tlie United States agreed to pay $14,000, and an annuity 
of $3,000. 

226. Pourtb Treaty of Telllco. — Two days later, October 27, 1805, another treaty was 
concluded between the same parties at the same place. In the former treaty the Indians 
had reserved several small tracts around spots to which they were especially attached. In 
order to show the purpose of the parties, and to give a specimen of the form of Indian treaties, 
this treaty is given below in full, omitting the caption and signatures: 

"Article I. Whereas, it has been represented by the one party to the other, that the 
section of land on which the garrison of Southwest Point stands, and which extends to King- 
ston, is likely to be a desirable place for the Assembly of the State of Tennessee to convene 
at, (a committee from that body now iu session having viewed the situation), now, the 
Cherokee, being pogsessed of a spirit of conciliation, and seeing that this tract is desired for 
public purposes and not for individual advantages, reserving the ferries to themselves, quit 
claim, and cede to the United States the said section of land, understanding at the same time, 
that the buildings erected by the public are to belong to the public, as well as the occupation 
of the same, during the pleasure of the government ; we also cede to the United States the 
first island in the Tennessee above the mouth of Clinch. 

"Article II. And, whereas, the mail of the United States is ordered to be carried from 
Knoxville to New Orleans, through the Cherokee, Creek, and Choctaw countries ; the Chero- 
kees agree that the citizens of the United States shall have, so far as it goes through their 
country, the free and unmolested use of a road leading from Tellico to Tonibigbee, to be laid out 
by viewers appointed on both sides, who shall direct it the nearest and best way ; and the time 
of doing the business the Cherokees shall be notified of. 

"Article III. In consideration of the above cession and relinquishment, the United States 
agree to pay to the said Cherokee Indians sixteen hundred dollars, in money or useful merchan- 
dise at their option, within ninety days after the ratification of this treaty. 

"Article IV. This treaty shall be obligatory between the contracting parties as soon as it 
is ratified by the President, by and with the consent of the Senate, of the United States. In testi- 
timony whereof," etc- 

227. Dearborn's Treaty.— At Washington City, Henry Dearborn, Secretary of War, con- 
cluded a treaty with the Cherokees, January 7, 1806, which was proclaimed by the President, May 
23, 1807. By this treaty the Cherokees ceded to the United States an extensive tract, lying in Mis- 
sissippi, Alabama, and Tennessee. The portion of this cession lying in Tennessee, south of Duck 
River, is shown on the annexed map, marked 12. By this treaty the Cherokees also ceded Long 
Island, iu Holston River. This cession is marked 13 on the annexed map. In consideration of 
these cessions, the United States agreed to pay ten thousand dollars, and further agreed as fol- 
lows : ' That a gristmill shall, within one year from date hereof, be built in the Cherokee country 
for the use of the nation, at such place as shall be considered most convenient ; that the said 
Cherokees shall be furnished with a machine for cleaning cotton ; and, also, that the old Cherokee 
chief, called the Black Fox, shall be paid annually one hundred dollars by the United States 
during his life." 

228. Robertson and Meigs' Treaty.— This treaty was held on Chickasaw Island, in Ten- 
nessee River, and was concluded with the Cherokees by James Robertson and Return J, Meigs, 
September 11, 1807, and was proclaimed April 22, 1808. It was merely an elucidation of former 
treaties, and made no additional cessions of land. In consideration of concessions made by the 
Indians on the points in dispute, the United .States agreed to pay them two thousand dollars, and 
accoidedthem the privilege of hunting in the ceded territory. There was also a secret article 
that one thousand dollars and two rifles should be given to the chiefs who negotiated the treatj'. 

229. The Capitulation of the Creeks.— Following the crushing blow administered to 
the Creeks at Tohopeka, Gen. Andrew Jackson dictated to them a treaty which was concluded 
August 9, 1814. Of the land ceded by the Creeks, no portion was within the limits of Tennessee, 
but this treaty had an important influence on the history of the .State. 

230. Sundry Treaties with the Cberokees. — George Graham, Commissioner of the 
Unitea States, concluded two treaties with the Cherokees March 22, 1816. The first ceded land 
iu South Carolina, for which the State of South Carolina agreed to pay five thousand dollars. 
The second made no cession of land, but contained important stipulations with reference to 
boundaries, con-ceding to the United States the free navigation of all rivers in Cherokee territory, 

' Haywood, p. 34 ; Report of Bureau of Ethnoiog},', 1883-1884, pp. 183-190. 
''The cessions made by this treaty are shown in the map, marked 10 and 11. Scott s Edition 
lyawsof Tennessee, Vol. II, pp. 820, 821. 



Thk Indian Treaties. 135 

and the right to open and use roads free of charge. For these concessions, and to reimburse 
the Indians for losses, etc., the United States agreed to pay twenty-five thousand dollars. 

Gen. Andrew Jackson, Gen. David Meriwether, and Jesse Franklin, Commissioners of the 
United States, concluded with the Cherokees a treaty, at the Chickasaw Council House, Septem- 
ber 14, 1S16. By this treaty the Cherokees ceded a large tract in Georgia, for which they received 
five thousand dollars in cash, aud au annuity of six thousand dollars for ten years. This treaty 
was ratified by the Cherokee Nation, at Turkeytown, October 4, 1816, and was proclaimed Decem- 
ber 30, 1S16. By these treaties no cession of land was made within the limits of Tennessee. 

231. Jackson and McMinn's Treaty. — This name has been given in Tennessee to the 
treaty concluded at the Cherokee Agency, July 18, 1S17, between Andrew Jackson, Joseph Mc- 
Minn, and David Meriwether with the Cherokees. By this treaty a tract of land was ceded in 
Tennessee, marked 14, provision was made for a census of the Cherokee Nation, and inducements 
were offered for the removal of the Cherokees west of the Mississippi River. The United States 
agreed to cede to the Cherokees who should remove a tract of land, north of the Arkansas River, 
equal in area to the cessions made bj- the Cherokees in this treaty, to bear the expense of removal, 
to give each " poor warrior one rifle gun and ammunition, one blanket, one brass kettle, or, in lieu 
of the brass kettle, a beaver trap," to pay for all improvements on the real estate left behind, 
and to have a census of the tribe taken, in accordance with which all who removed west should 
receive their proportional shares of all annuities granted the tribe by previous treaties. Provis- 
ion was also made for granting to each head of a Cherokee family residing within the ceded terri- 
torry a tract of six hundred and forty acres, on condition of his becoming a citizen of the United 
States. 

232. Great CliiclEasav^r Cession. — By a treaty made September 20, 1816, the Chickasaws 
ceded to the United States their title to certain lands in dispute. The great Chickasaw cession 
was made October 19, iSiS. This treaty was concluded at the ■' Treaty Ground east of Old Town " 
with the United States Commissioners, Isaac Shelby and Andrew Jackson. By this treaty, the 
Chickasaws ceded to the United States all of what is now West Tennessee, the tract extending 
into Kentucky between the Ohio and Tennessee rivers. A tract in Tennessee, four miles square, 
was reserved, including "a salt lick, or springs," near Sandy River. Three other small tracts 
were reserved to individual Indians on condition that all persons living on these reservations 
shall be subject to the laws of the United States. In consideration of these cessions, the United 
States agreed to pay "twenty thousand dollars per annum, for fifteen successive years, to be 
paid annually ; " and also agreed to pay two debts of the Chickasaws, one to Captain Gordon of 
Ji, 115, and one to Captain Smith of $2,000 ; and further agreed to pay to individual Chickasaws 
sums amounting to $4,264; and further agreed that all annuities heretofore payable in goods 
should be hereafter paid in cash. In consequence of some delays in the first payments stipulated 
in the treaty, Andrew Jackson and William B. Lewis raised the money on their personal credit, 
and prompt payment was made.' This cession is marked 15 on the annexed map. 

233. Calhoun's Treaty.— February 27, 1819, John C. Calhoun, Secretary of War, concluded 
a treaty with the Cherokees, who ceded various outlying tracts which had not been included in 
former treaties. Three of these were extensive tracts, marked on the map respectively 16, 17, and 
18. The others were tracts of small area, from one to twelve miles square, which had been 
retained by the Indians as favorite spots, for which they felt a special attachment, or a super- 
stitious reverence. These are shown on the map, marked respectively 19, 20, 21, 22, and 23. It 
was agreed that these minor cessions were to be sold by the United States, the proceeds to be 
invested in goods and stocks, the annual income of which should be used for establishing schools 
for the Cherokees. Many stipulations were made for issuing grants of six hundred aud forty 
acres each to individual Indians. The policy of the treaty was to encourage the Cherokees to 
emigrate west of the Mississippi, aud to induce those who remained to abandon their tribal rela- 
tions, and to become citizens of the United States. This treaty extinguished the title of the 
Cherokees to all lands in Tennessee, except the tract marked 24, and known as the " Hiwassee 
District," to which they retained title tiutil December, 1835. 

234. Overton's Treaty.— In 1S23, a treaty was made with the Chickasaws by Judge John 
Overton by which the Chickasaws released claim to the small tracts of land which they had 
reserved in former treaties. One tract, four miles square, including the salt lick on Sandy River, 
is shown on the map, marked 24. Another tract, one mile square, on Tennessee River, at the 
mouth of Duck River, and known as " Okoye's Reservation," is marked 25. 

^ See two letters of Andrew Jackson in American Historical Magazine, Vol. IV, pp. 99-101 
(April number, 1899). 




136 History of Tennessee. 

235. Attitude of Tennessee and Georgia. — The Cherokees were too weak to engage 
in war, but were not congenial neighbors. Tliey had learned many of the arts and vices of 
civilized life, and had, to a great extent, abandoned their roving habits. They did not need large 
areas of ground, and had gradually sold all their territory in Tennessee except Hiwassee District. 
The bulk of the nation had been gradually forced down into Georgia. They showed some dispo- 
sition to become citizens cf the United States, and actually made propositions to that effect. The 

, - -, people of Tennessee and Georgia, however, were 

^.^ bent on their removal across the Mississippi. Both 

States became involved in controversies with the 
Federal authorities in reference to the Indian rela- 
tions. The controversy on the part of Tennessee 
" w^as with reference to the State law directing the 

sale of disputed reservations. The controversy on 
the part of Georgia was more serious. The United 
States accepted the cession of the western lands of 
Georgia in 1802, and agreed to extinguish all Indian 
titles to lands within the limits of the State. 
Georgia demanded the fulfillment of the contract. 
Meanwhile, and before any steps had been taken 
for the removal of the Indians, Georgia asserted 
the right to legislate for the entire State, and to 
execute her laws within the Indian reservations. 
,j^ The United States claimed that the Indians were a 

' , distinct organization within the limits of Georgia, 

and could be dealt with only by Congress under 

If the treaty-making powers. Governor Troupe, of 

Georgia, gave notice that he would maintain the 

Major Ridge— Cherokee Chief. authority of Georgia, and matters assumed a 

hostile shape duringthe latter part of the adminis- 
tration of Monroe and the succeeding administration of John Quincy Adams. Finally, the 
Cherokee Nation, July 26, 1827, adopted a Constitution as an independent and sovereign State. 
The people of Georgia were indignant at this attempt to establish a separate government 
within the jurisdiction of a sovereign State, and to assert a right -which would be treason, 
if attempted by her own citizens. Her legislature made what they styled a last appeal to 
the United States, and expressed a purpose, if this should fail, to take the matter into their 
own hands. 

236. Abortive Treaties. — In 1832, the Indian Territory was laid out west of the Missis- 
sippi, and in 1S34 Congress made enactments for the definite location of the several tribes which 
were to occupy it. May 6, 1S28, James Barbour, Secretary of War, concluded a treaty, and Feb- 
ruary 14, 1833, Stokes, Ellsworth and Schermerhorn concluded a similar treaty with the Chero- 
kees. Neither of these treaties were contracts, but were a series of offers made by the United 
States to induce the Cherokees to remove to the Indian Territory west of the Mississippi River. 
Both treaties were barren of results. Februarj' 10, 1834, George Vashon concluded a treaty with 
the Cherokees similar in character, and offering additional inducements. This treaty was made 
inoperative bj' the refusal of President Andrew Jackson to submit it to the Senate. 

237. Treaty of Removal.— This treaty was concluded December 29, 1S35, at New Echota, 
Georgia, between the Cherokees and Gen. William Carroll and John F. Shermerhorn, Commis- 
sioners for the United States. By its provisions the Cherokees ceded to the United States all their 
lands east of the Mississippi River in consideration of $5,000,000. The United States ceded to the 
Cherokees fifteen million acres of land in the Indian Territory, which should never be included 
in any state or territorial government, and agreed to pay all expenses of removal, to furnish one 
year's subsistence in their new hoiue, to pay for improvements on their lands, to pay various 
special funds and annuities, among other provisions to add $150,000 to the existing permanent 
school fund, and to appropriate |6o,ooo to pay debts due from the Cherokees to citizens of the 
United States. It was agreed that all who remained should be subject to the laws of the State 
within which they resided, and, upon becoming qualified as citizens, should be entitled to pre- 
empt one hundred and sixty acres of land. The treaty contained other important provisions 
which can not be here recited. March i, 1836, a supplemental treaty was made, which added 
$1 ,000,000 to the obligations of the United States. The Cherokees agreed to remove to the Indian 
Territory within two years from the ratification of the treaty. By the terms of this treaty, the 



The Indian Treaties. 



T37 



title of the Cherokees was extinguished to Hiwassee District, their last possession in Tennessee, 
marked on the map 26. 

238. The Removal.— The large majority of the Cherokees, led by their famous chief, 
John Ross, were opposed to tliis treatj\ and protested against it. The United States, however, 
refused to recognize their authority, and concluded the treaty with the minority party of the 
Cherokees, led by the chiefs Major Ridge and Andrew Ross. The Cherokee Nation, in full 
council, in October, 1835, rejected the treaty, but the United States Senate, nevertheless, confirmed 
it, and President Jackson proclaimed it May 

23, 1S36. John Ross went to Washiugton on 
behalf of his people, and endeavored to per- 
suade the President and Congress to declare it 
void. He displayed great diplomatic ability, » 

and created a strong sentiment of sympathy \M 

in favor of the Indians. Henry Clay, Daniel ^ *^ •^^** 

Webster, Edward Everett, Henry A Wise, and 
other political opponents of President Jackson, 
wann'.y espoused the cause of Ross. Previous 
to his departure for Texas, David Crockett 
ardently supported Ross. During the two 
years which had been allowed the Cherokees 
for removal, strong efforts were used to revoke 
the treaty, but President Jackson was firm. 
Many of the Indians removed in small bands 
before the appointed date. As the time drew 
near. Gen. Winfield Scott, with a force of 
United States troops, was ordered to the Chero- 
kee country. He issued an address, announc- 
ing that he would enforce their removal in 
accordance with the terms of the treaty. Ross 
made application for extension of time, and 
other indulgences, which virere granted. De- 
cember 4, 1S3S, the last organized band of Cherokees began their march for the Indian Territory. 
A number, subsequently euumerated at one thousand and forty-six, took refuge in the mountains 
aud remained behind. Most of these afterwards joined their comrades in the West. The few 
who finally remained abandoned their tribal relatious, and became citizens of the United States. 
The total number of the Cherokees who removed West was stated on the rolls of John Ross to be 
thirteen thousand one hundred aud forty-nine. Upon reaching their new homes, fierce dissen- 
sions arose between the party of John Ross and the Ridge party, which resulted in the killing of 
Major Ridge. Filially the nation became unified, and made other treaties with the United States 
by which they secured a large annual income. 

239. The Indian Territory.— The Cherokees, Chickasaws, Creeks, Choctaws, and Semi- 
noles, known as the " Five Civilized Tribes," are now dwelling peaceably aud contentedly in the 
Indian Territory. They are prosperous, industrious, and law abiding. In addition to large reve- 
nues derived from the United States for the sale of their eastern lands, they are self-sustaining 
and wealthy. They owned many negro slaves prior to the general emancipation. They have 
schools, churches, good governments, aud all the appliances of civilization. They have increased 
in numbers, the total population of the five tribes being 178,097, of which 50,055 are Indians. The 
Cherokee Nation, which numbered 13,149 upon their arrival, now numbers 56,309. of which 22,015 
are ludians.' 




John Ross — Cherokee Chief. 



1 United States Census, 1S90, Vol. Indians, pp. 242, el sec/. In this chapter frequent reference 
has been made to the invaluable article of Mr. Roycein the Report of the Bureau of p:thnology for 
1S8V84. This treatise is confined to the Cherokees, and extends beyoud the limits of Tennessee. 



38 Topical Analysis. 

TOPICAL ANALYSIS — CHAPTERvS X-XVIIL 

I. Washington County ; Organized by North Carolina, 1777. 

( a ) Washington Judicial District ; Civil and Military Tribunals. 
(3) Population; Internal Improvements; Important Events; Indian Hostilities; 
A Dangerous Crisis. 

II. The Cumberland Setileinents; 177^ to 17&3. 

( a ) Explorers ; Transylvania Purchase ; Prospectors ; Thomas Sharp Spencer, 

and Others. 
( b ) Settlers ; James Robertson ; Donelson's Voyage ; Other Settlers. 
( c ) Articles of Compact ; Government under the Compac' , 

(tf) Indian Hostilities ; Freeland Station ; Battle of the E..-.ffs ; Guerrilla Warfare. 
( e ) The Dark Days ; The Council ; Robertson's Firmness ; Peace vs'itli England. 

III. Watauga ; 1780 to 1783 ; The South Overrun ; King's Mountain. 

IV. Cherokee War; Greene and Davidson Counties formed ; First Cession. 

V. State of Franklin ; Its Constitulioti ; Sevier elected Governor; The Capitol. 

VI. sCollapse of Franklin in 1788 ; Sevier in Custody. 

VII. Sevier's Release ; His election as Delegate ; His appointment as Brigadier-General. 

VIII. Cumberlaiid ; 1783 to 171)0 ; Davidson County. 

( a ) Bounty Lauds ; Treaty of Nashborough ; vSpanish Intrigues. 

( b ) Sumner County formed ; Mero Judicial District. 

( c ) Indian Hostilities ; Appeals for Aid ; Cold water Expedition. 

I d ) Second Cession of North Carolina ; Congress accepts the Cession. 

IX. Southzvesl Territory, 17^0 to I7g6 ; William Blount, Governor. 

( a ) President appoints Daniel Smith, Secretary ; David Campbell, John McNairy, 
Joseph Anderson Judges. 

{b) President appoints Brigadier-Generals: John Sevier for Washington, James 
Robertson for Mero. 

( c ) Governor organizes Counties : Washington, Sullivan, Greene, Hawkins, David- 
son, Sumner, Tennessee. 

(d) Governor organizes Judicial Districts : Washington, Mero. 

(e) Governor appoints Territorial, Judicial, Civil, and Military Officers; Issues 

Licenses. 

(/) Governor's Policy; Conciliatory; Favors Statehood; Not firm in Indian 
Affairs. 

(g) Indian Relations; Spanish Intrigues; Separatists; Federal authorities De- 
ceived ; Sentiment of New England. 

(1) McGiliivray ; Guerrilla Warfare; Chickasaws Friendly; Blount's 

Vacillation. 

(2) Zeigler's Station; Buchanan's Station; Murder of the Bledsoes; 

Robertson Resigns. 

(3) Captain Handly Defeated ; Beard's Attack ; Cavett .Station ; Sevier's 

Expedition. 
(//) Territorial Legislature convenes February 24, 1794. 

(1) Forms Jefferson, Knox, Sevier, and Blount Counties, and Hamilton 

Judicial District. 

(2) Provides for Census, Elections, and Constitiitional Convention. 
( /■ ) Convention meets ; Adopts Constitution ; Orders F^lections. 

( / ) Governor Blount notifies President Washington. 

X. .S'liiithwest Territory becomes State of Tennessee. 

( a ) State Legislature meets March 28, 1796, and Organizes the State. 
( b ) Legislature elects John Sevier, Governor ; Elects Senators and Representa- 
tives to Congress. 
(c) Opposition iu Congress ; House Passes Bill ; Senate Disagrees. 
( d ) Rufus King Opposes ; Samuel Livermore Favors Admission. 
( e ) Bill Passes May 31 ; Approved by President Washington, June i, 1796. 

XT. Indian Treaties ; See Analysis and List under Map, pages 128, /pp. 



% 



PART II. 



THE HISTORY OF TENNESSEE FROM ITS ADMISSION 

INTO THE UNION, 1796. TO THE 

PRESENT TIME. 



DIVISION I. 
TENNESSEE UNDER THE CONSTITUTION OF 1796. 

DIVISION II. 
TENNESSEE UNDER THE CONSTITUTION OF 1834. 

DIVISION III. 
TENNESSEE UNDER THE CONSTITUTION OF 1870. 



THE GREAT SEAL OF THE STATE OF 
TENNESSEE. 




FIRST USED BY GOVERNOR ARCHIBALD ROANE, 
APRIL. 24, 1802. 



DIVISION I. 



TENNESSEE UNDER THE CONSTITUTION OF 1796. 



CHAPTER XIX. 

ADMIN ISTRA TION OP SE J 'lER — 1796-1801. 

240. Sevier Governor for the Constitutional Period of Six Years. — 
Under the Constitution, the governor was the only officer elected by 

the people of the whole State. 
His term of office was fixed at two 
years, and he was prohibited from 
serving more than six years in 
any period of eight years. John 
Sevier was elected governor with- 
out opposition, and was twice re- 
elected with a like unanimity. 

241. Sevier an East Tennes- 
sean.— At the time of his first 
election, Sevier was beyond the 
meridian of life. His country 
had passed the heroic period, in 
which he had shone with such 
matchless splendor. He was the 
idol of East Tennessee. He had 
been the leader of its people from the time Robertson crossed the 
mountains in 1779. He had defended them against the Indians, to 
whom his name carried more terror than a regiment of soldiers.^ He 
had fought back the invading British, and, with Isaac Shelby, had shed 
immortal glory on East Tennessee at the decisive battle of King's 
Mountain. During all its ill-starred career, he had been the chief 
magistrate of the daring young State of Franklin. And after its 




Gov. John Sevier. 



^Gov. William Blount to the Secretary of War. 



142 History of Tennesskk. 

downfall, he had been elected to Congress from the Western District of 
North Carolina, being the first representative in the United States 
Congress from the Mississippi A^alley. 

242. Sevier not in Touch with Middle Tennessee. — While East 
Tennessee had leaned on John Sevier for safety, the Cumberland settle- 
ments had never looked to him, nor been the immediate objects of his 
brilliant achievements. They had not witnessed his daring feats of 
arms, nor been thrilled by the influence of his great personal magnet- 
ism. His presence was well-nigh irresistible, and was, in a measure, 
necessary to his popularity. These facts had an important influence 
on his career, as the center of population began to move to the westward 
of the Cumberland Mountains. 

243. Putting the State in Accord with the Federal Government. — 
Before the State was admitted to the Union, it had elected two 
United States Senators, and provided for the election of two Repre- 
sentatives and four Presidential Electors. After its admission, the 
Senate refused to seat the Senators from Tennessee, on the ground that 
they were prematurely elected. Congress likewise passed an act allow- 
ing the State but one representative in Congress, which had the effect 
also to reduce the number of electors from four to three. As soon as 
these facts reached the governor, he called an extra session of the 
General Assembly, which met on the 30tli day of July, and continued 
in session ten days. They reelected Senators Blount and Cocke; 
passed an act for the election of one Congressman from the State at 
large; and provided for the appointment of three Presidential Electors. 

244. Jackson Elected to Congress. — Andrew Jackson offered him- 
self as a candidate for Congress, and was elected without opposition, 
being the first representative in Congress from Tennessee. He was 
the second officer elected by the people of the whole State, Governor 
Sevier having been the first. Jackson was then a young man of 
twenty-nine. He liad lived in the country since reaching his majority, 
in 1788. Under the Territorial government he had made reputation as 
a district attorney. He was a leading member of the Convention that 
framed the Constitution for the new State, for \Yhich he is said to have 
suggested the name of Tennessee. He was the greatest leader of men 
this country has ever produced, and had even then gathered around 
him the nucleus of a following which afterwards became all-powerful, 
not in the State only, but in the nation as well. 

245. Jackson and Anderson Elected to the Senate. — Before the 
general election in August, rumors of the imprudent conduct of William 



Tennessee under the Constitution op 1796. 



143 




Joseph Anderson. 



Blount, which resulted in his expulsion from the United States Senate, 
had reached Tennessee. It was rightly conjectured that he could not 
be reelected. Joseph Anderson, who became distinguished for his 
eminent services, both to the State and nation, 
was elected to succeed him. At the same session 
of the Legislature, Andrew Jackson, who had 
consented to become a candidate, was elected to 
succeed William Cocke, whose term in the Sen- 
ate had also expired. 

246. Question of the Indian Boundary. — • 
The question of most immediate and pressing 
interest to the State government, at that time, 
was the controversy between its people and the 
neighboring Indians concerning the boundary 
between them. Governor Sevier determined 
at the outset, that the safety and security of the 
settlers would be best promoted by a policy of 
peace and friendship with the Indians. A few years of quiet, he 
thought, would see the number of settlers so augmented that their 
progress could never again be seriously retarded by the Indians. 

247. Running the Indian Line. — The treaty of Holston had been 
made in 1791, but was not carried into effect for some time, because of 
misunderstandings as to the line. Afterwards, the line was actually 
run and marked. In the meantime, the settlements south of the French 
Broad and Holston rivers, begun under the Franklin Treaties of 
Dumplin and Coyatee, had been extended to the Little Tennessee. 
Moreover, Powell's Valley was being settled under grants from North 
Carolina. Both of these settlements extended into the Indian country. 
(See Map of Public Lands, paragraph 270.) The removal of the 
settlers who were found beyond the line caused intense excitement on 
the frontiers. But through it all the peace policy of Governor Sevier 
was pursued with firmness, justice, and patience. 

248. The Question of the Public Lands. — There were two other 
questions of vital interest to the people of the State. They were (i) 
the disposition of the public lands, and (2) the organization and regu- 
lation of the militia. Under an act of North Carolina, a land office 
was opened in Washington County in 1777. A similar office was 
opened in Sullivan County upon its formation two years later. Both 
of these offices were closed in 178 1. A land office known as John 
Armstrong's office was opened in 1783. When the State passed the 



144 History op Tennessee. 

first act ceding its western territory to the United States, in 1784, this 
office was also closed. From that date until 1806, a period of twenty- 
two years, there was not a land office open in the State. This anom- 
alous state of affairs was caused by the earnest and protracted contro- 
versy between Tennessee, North Carolina, and the United States as to 
the right of disposition of the public lands in Tennessee, which is 
treated in Chapter XXI. 

249. Organization of the State Militia. — In order to complete the 
organization of the State militia, in accordance with the provisions of 
the Constitution, the first General Assembly passed an act prescribing 
the mode of electing military officers. Company officers were to be 
elected by their companies, and the field officers by such persons in their 
respective counties as were subject to military duty. Brigadier Gen- 
erals were to be elected by the field officers of their respective districts, 
and the Major General by the Brigadier Generals and field officers of the 
State. In case of a tie in the vote for Major General, the governor was 
to give the casting vote. George Conway was elected Major General. 

250. Death of William Blount. — William Blount was one of the 
great men of the State. Of cavalier stock, he was a pronounced Repub- 
lican. He began his career among the regulators, at the famous battle 
of the Alamance. He was a member of the General Assembly of 
North Carolina, of the Continental Congress, of the convention that 
formed the Constitution of the United States, and the convention of 
North Carolina that ratified it. When the Southwest Territory was 
formed, President Washington appointed him governor, and also Indian 
agent for the vSouth. His duties were delicate and arduous in the 
extreme, but he performed them with great intelligence, untiring activ- 
ity, broad patriotism, and eminently satisfactory results. He earnestly 
sought the admission of the Territory into the Union as a State, and 
was chairman of its constitutional convention. He became a United 
States Senator from the new State, but suffered the mortification of an 
expulsion from that body. But time has not vindicated the justice of 
his expulsion. His friends did all in their power to counteract its 
effect. General Robertson spoke of the matter in the saddest, gentlest 
terms. He had heard, he said, of the action of the Senate with great 
grief. He never could have judged the letter which was made the 
basis of the Senate's action, to have been so criminal.- James 
White, the father of Hugh L. White, having resigned his seat in the 

'American' Historical R^agazine, Vol. IV, p. 344. 



Administration of Roane;. 



145 



State Senate, of which he was speaker, Governor Blount was elected to 
that body and made its speaker. He received the kindest attentions 
from the people without exception. But death claimed him before 
they had an opportunity to honor him further. 



CHAPTER XX. 



ADMINISTRATION OF ROANE — 1S01-1S03. 




Gov. Archibald Roane. 



251. Archibald Roane. — At tlie end of Governor Sevier's third 
'term, he retired, and Archil)ald Roane was elected to succeed him. 

Roane was a native of Pennsylvania. He had 
a college education, and was a man of erudition 
as well as legal attainments. After the Revolu- 
tionary war. in which he took a part, he came to 
Washington District. When the Territorial 
government was organized, he was appointed 
attorney general for the district of Hamilton. 
He was one of the first judges of the Superior 
Court of the State, which position he retained 
until his election as governor. During the last 
four years of this time, he was associated on the 
bench \\'ith Andrew Jackson, with whom he con- 
tracted a warm friendship. 

252. Legislative Acts. — During the session of the Legislature 
that met in 1801, Jackson County was erected. This is notable as the 
first geographical district named for Andrew Jackson. Since then, 
hundreds of counties and towns have been called in his honor. There 
is but one name on our map that occurs more frecjuently than that of 
Jackson, namely, Washington — and Washington was first so honored 
by the settlers on the Watauga and the Nollichucky. At this session, 
two committees were appointed, one to prepare a design for a State 
seal, and the other to contract for the manufacture of the seal. It was 
manufactured by William and Matthew Atkinson at Knoxville, and 
first used by Governor Roane, April 24, 1802, to authenticate an order 
to pay William and Matthew Atkinson $100.00 "in full compensation 
for making the great seal of the State, and a press to work the same." 
This was the first and only great seal of the State. By an act of the 



146 History of Tennessee. 

first Legislature, passed April 20, 1796, the Governor had been author- 
ized to procure a seal, Ramsey erroneously states that Governor Sevier 
had the first seal made in Philadelphia, The records show that there 
was no State seal prior to April 24, 1802.^ 

253. Land Speculations. — During the early history of this 
country, land speculations were carried to the greatest extreme. It 
became a craze, not in Tennessee only, but in all the western country. 
Even Washington was not exempt from it. The largest land specu- 
lator in Tennessee was Stockley Doneison. His holdings probably 
aggregated half a million acres." Governor Sevier was another large 
land owner. He owned some fifty-seven thousand acres in what is 
now Overton and Clay Counties,^ and at one time had warrants for over 
one hundred thousand acres. 

254. A Vacancy in the Office of Major General. — Major General 
George Conway died in 1801, leaving vacant the highest office in the 
militia of the State. Governor Roane issued an order directing the 
Brigadier Generals and field officers to meet together on the 5th of 
February, 1802, for the purpose of electing a Major General to fill the 
vacancy. The office of Major General was then esteemed one of the 
most honorable positions in the State, and was coveted by the most 
ambitious of its citizens. The candidates who offered for the vacancy 
were John Sevier, the late governor, and Andrew Jackson, one of the 
judges of the Superior Court of the State. When the vote was counted, 
it was found that neither had been elected. The vote stood :* 

For Sevier — Washington District, 7; Hamilton District, 4; 
Mero District, 6; total, 17. 

For Jackson — Washington District, o; Hamilton District, 6; 
Mero District, 11; total, 17. 

For Winchester — Washington District, 3; Hamilton District, o ; 
Mero District, o; total, 3. 

255. Jackson Elected by the Casting Vote of Governor Roane. — 
February i6th, 1802, the Secretary of State certified to the counting of 
the votes for Major General, with the result given above. On the same 
day, Maj. John Carter turned over the papers belonging to the entry- 
taker's office of Washington County. In doing so, he filed an affidavit 
that he had delivered to Governor Roane one file of papers purporting 
to be locations, which file, though found among the papers of the office 

^ Paper of R. L. C. White read before Tennessee Historical Society. 

"A. B. Wilson, of Greeneville, Tenn., in the Nashville American, of April 4, 
1897. 

^Life of Jefferson Dillard Goodpasture, p. 24. 

* Original certificate of Secretary of State, William Maclin, discovered by 
Dr. R. L. C. White, among the archives of the Secretary of State's office. 



Administration of Roane. 147 

about the year 1795, he beheved did not originally belong to it, but had 
been put there fraudulently. The affidavit was made before Willie 
Blount, J. P., and with the file of papers referred to, was the basis of 
the charges of fraud made against Governor Sevier. It was made, at 
that time, for the purpose of influencing the deciding vote of Governor 
Roane in the contest for Major General,^ which he cast in favor of 
Judge Jackson. 

256. Sevier Becomes a Candidate to Succeed Roane. — Two years 
having intervened since Sevier retired from the office of Governor, he 
became a candidate against Roane, who wished to succeed himself. At 
the outset, the charge of fraudulent land dealings brought against Gov- 
ernor Sevier became the leading issue of the canvass. Sevier's con- 
temporaries did not condemn him on these charges, and there is nothing 
in his character, as it comes down to us, to make posterity less lenient. 
The charges, however, have an historical value as charges once current, 
because of the influence they have had, not upon the careers of two 
popular heroes only, but upon the history and destiny of the State and 
nation as well. It has been repeatedly, but erroneously, stated that 
they had their origin in this canvass between Sevier and Roane. They 
grew, as we have seen, out of the canvass of Sevier and Jackson for 
Major General. 

257. Jackson Takes the Fight off of Roane's Hands. — Roane was 
not lacking in courage. But he was a student, a man of letters — schol- 
arly, thoughtful, retired — not a restless, eager, ambitious, leader of 
men. Jackson entered the lists in his behalf with the dash and impetu- 
osity of a knight-errant. The canvass that followed really became a 
test of strength between Governor Sevier and General Jackson. The 
contest resulted in the election of Sevier by a vote of 6,786 to 4,923, the 
Middle Tennessee counties voting for Roane. 

258. The Legislative Investigation. — Before he retired from 
office, Roane sent a special message to the Legislature, transmitting the 
papers filed with him by Major Carter. An investigation was ordered, 
which continued through the whole session. The House was adverse 
to Governor Sevier, but in the end a conclusion was reached which' 
found the facts in substantial accord with Carter's affidavit, but did not 
attribute the fraud to Sevier, or otherwise characterize his motives. 

259. Personal Rencounters Between Jackson and Sevier. — Pend- 
ing this investigation, on October ist, Judge Jackson, who was holding 
court in Knoxville, met Governor Sevier on the public square. A 
violent altercation resulted. This was followed by a challenge from 
Jackson. A meeting-place could not be agreed upon. Sevier refused 

'American Historical Magazine. Vol. IV, p. 381. 



148 History of Tennessee. 

to receive further communication from Jackson. Jackson published 
Sevier as a "base coward and poltroon." A second encounter occurred. 
Friends interfered. An indifferent peace was patched up, and the 
episode ended. 



CHAPTER XXI. 

<:ONTRO]'ERSY AS TO PUBLIC LANDS. 

260. Private Purchases from the Indians. — The first settlements 
on the Watauga, as wc have seen, were made in 1769 or 1770. The 
settlers at first leased their lands from the Indians. Afterwards they 
bought them. But they did not get a good title, because private pur- 
chases from the Indians were not lawful. The first substantial result 
of the annexation of Washington District by North Carolina was the 
extinguishment of the Indian title to their land by the treaty of Long 
Island of Holston, in 1777. 

261. County Land Offices Opened. — A few months after the treaty 
of Long Island of Holston, the Legislature of North Carolina passed 
an act making it the duty of the justices of the peace of every county 
in the State to appoint entry-takers in their respective counties. At the 
same session of the Legislature, Washington County was erected, with 
boundaries coextensive with those of the present State of Tennessee. 
The lands lying west of the Indian line established by the treaty of 
Long Island of Holston, sometimes called Brown's line, while lying 
within the county, had not yet accrued to the State, either by treaty or 
conquest. A little later it was claimed by right of conquest. But the 
land office once open, the people began to make entries west as well as 
cast of the Indian line. By an act of the succeeding year, those entries 
west of the Indian line were declared void. Two years later, in 1779, 
Sullivan County was erected, and an entry-taker was appointed for the 
county, but this office, as well as that of Washington County, was 
closed in 1781, and neither of them was ever reopened. 

262. Cumberland Preemptions. — Before these offices were closed, 
the Watauga hive had swarmed, a colony had crossed the mountains, 
and were settling in the beautiful valley of the Cumberland. The most 
important settlement was made by James Robertson, at the Bluff, in 
1779. But others followed rapidly, and in May, 1780, when North 



Controversy as to Public I^ands. 149 

Carolina passed her first act providing for a military reservation, there 
were many daring pioneers found within its limits. A private act of 
North Carolina in 1784 designates by name and specially recognizes 
the preemption claims of seventy of those settlers who were heads of 
families on the first day of June, 1780; of sixty-three who had been 
killed, in defense of the colony; and of nineteen who were under 
twenty-one years of age at that time, but who had, nevertheless, ren- 
dered distinguished service to the settlement. It being represented to 
the Legislature in 1782 that such pioneers had, before the passing of 
said act, settled on the said tract of country, it was enacted that 640 
acres of land, including improvements, should be granted to each family 
or head of a family and to every single man of the age of twenty-one 
years and upwards, settled on said land before the first day of June, 
1780, for which they were declared to have the right of preemption. 

263. John Armstrong's Office. — In 1783, the Legislature of North 
Carolina established the land office afterwards known as John Arm- 
strong's office. The Cherokee Indians having taken part with the 
British towards the close of the Revolution, the State assumed title to 
their lands by right of conquest, and, disregarding the boundary estab- 
lished by the treaty of Long Island of Holston, threw open to appropria- 
tion the whole of its western territory, except — 

1. A reservation for the Indians, consisting of a tract bounded on 
the south by the southern boundary of the State, and on the north, west, 
and east by the Tennessee, Holston, French Broad, and Big Pigeon 
rivers. (See Map of Public Lands, paragraph 270.) 

2. The military reservation, described in paragraph 148, aiifc. 

3. The Great Island of Holston, also called Long Island, which the 
Indians held in peculiar veneration as a treaty ground. 

264. First Act of North Carolina Ceding Its Western Lands. — In 
April, 1784, just one year after the establishment of John Armstrong's 
office, the Legislature passed an act ceding the western territory of 
North Carolina to the United States. This act was accompanied by 
another, which, after reciting that it was just and right that no entries 
of land within the said territory should be allowed until the United 
States refused the cession, discontinued John Armstrong's office, and 
declared void all entries made in the territory after the 25th day of 
May, 1784, except entries of land allowed the commissioners, agents, 
and surveyors who extended the line of the military reservation, and the 
guards, hunters, chain-carriers, and markers who attended said com- 
missioners. 



I50 History of Tennessee. 

The people of the State of Frankhn having made the cession of 
their territory to the United States the occasion for the erection of that 
Commonweahh, in defiance of the authority of North CaroHna, in Oc- 
tober of the same year, the act of cession was repealed. But John 
Armstrong's office was never again opened. 

265. Lack of System in the Disposition of Public Lands, — During 
the time that these several land offices were open, there was taken up 
more than 8,000,000 acres of the public land. One accustomed to the 
compact system of surveys and entries in the Northwest can hardly 
conceive the total lack of method in the disposition of the public lands 
of North Carolina. The owner of a land warrant was permitted to 
explore the whole country, and locate it anywhere and in any shape he 
chose, without regard to cardinal points, and without reference to prior 
entries. The result was that all the best lands were first taken up, and 
the poorer and less desirable lands, in detached bodies of larger or 
smaller areas, were rejected. Such scraps and remnants were left in 
every section of the State. 

26G. Second Act of Cession, — This was the condition of the public 
lands, when in 1789, North Carolina the second time ceded its western 
territory to the United States. This cession was made on certain 
express conditions, and was accepted April 2, 1790. These conditions, 
so far as it is necessary to mention them here, were as follows : 

(i) That the military reservation should inure to the use and 
benefit of the officers and soldiers of the continental line of the State, 
their heirs and assigns; and if said reservation should not contain a 
sufficient c[uantity of land fit for cultivation to satisfy the general pro- 
vision of law for their benefit, the deficiency might be made good out 
of any other part of the territory ceded, not already appropriated. 

(2) That entries and grants made agreeable to law before the 
cession should have the same force and effect as if such cession had not 
been made ; and power was reserved to the Governor of North Carolina 
to perfect titles under entries that had not previously been perfected 
by grant or otherwise. 

(3) That, if any person had made his entry in John Armstrong's 
office and located the same on land already entered by another, he 
should have leave to remove the location of such entry to any land on 
which no entry had been specially located. 

(4) That all rights of occupancy and preemption to persons 
settled on and occupying said lands should continue in full force. 



Controversy as to Public Lands. 151 

(5) That the act of cession should not prevent the people then 
residing south of French Broad, and between the rivers Tennessee and 
Pigeon, from entering their preemptions should an office be opened for 
that purpose under an act of the General Assembly. 

267. Public Lands in the Southwest Territory. — The country so 
ceded and accepted now became the Southwest Territory. Next to its 
acceptance, the most noteworthy fact in the history of the Southwest 
Territory is the absence of all legislation by the United States on the 
subject of its public lands. 

Virginia ceded her western territory in 1784, and in 1785 the old 
Continental Congress passed an ordinance providing for the survey of 
the public lands in the Northwest Territory after a regular system, 
dividing the country into townships of six miles square, containing 
thirty-six lots of one mile square, of which lot No. 16 in each township 
should be reserved for the maintenance of public schools therein. But, 
during the entire six years in which Tennessee was a Territory of the 
United States, Congress never made any provision for applying to it 
the system of surveys so promptly adopted in the Northwest, nor, 
indeed, any other system, and never made or authorized any provision, 
present or prospective, for the support of public schools, academies, or 
colleges. Such a provision has been made in favor of every Territory 
of the United States except Tennessee. 

268. Controversy over the Right to Dispose of Public Lands — 
When Tennessee was admitted to the Union it was supposed there 
would be vacant and unappropriated lands left in the State, after satis- 
fying the reservation in favor of North Carolina claims. In 1799, the 
State Legislature passed an Act establishing an office for receiving 
entries for all vacant lands within the several counties of the State. 
This act was subsequently suspended until its next stated session. In 
the meantime, it was notified by the Senators in Congress that the 
United States claimed the right to dispose of the vacant and unappro- 
priated lands in the State. The Legislature then authorized the Sen- 
ators to claim the absolute right of disposition in favor of this State, 
and to procure from the Ignited States a relinquishment of their claim. 

269. North Carolina Becomes a Party to the Controversy. — In the 
meantime, North Carolina continued to issue warrants and perfect titles 
to lands in Tennessee in the same manner it might have done ii its 
cession had not been made. Tennessee now denied the right of North 
Carolina to grant lands in Tennessee, on the ground that the time within 
which claimants were required to make surveys and procure grants 



152 



History of Tennessek. 



had 



p4 

Q 
< 
Q 
< 

u 

i-r 

m 

W 

a 

fa 
o 



expired, and in 1801 passed an act to prevent the surveying and 

granting of lands in Tennessee 
by North CaroHna. 

In 1803, the Legislature ap- 
pointed John Overton an agent 
for the purpose of settling the 
differences between North Caro- 
lina and Tennessee by friendly 
explanation a n d adjustment. 
This negotiation resulted in an 
agreement authorizing the State 
of Tennessee to perfect titles to 
the lands reserved to North Caro- 
lina by the act of cession, subject 
to the assent of Congress. 

270. The Compact of 1806.— 
Congress gave its assent to this 
agreement, and entered into a 
compact settling the controversy 
between the United States and 
Tennessee, by an act approved 
April 18th, 1806. The impor- 
tant provisions of that compact 
w^ere as follows : 

(o) Tennessee ceded to the 
United States the sole and entire 
disposition of the lands south 
and west of a line beginning at 
the place where the main branch 
of Elk River intersects the south- 
ern boundary of the State, and 
running due north until it inter- 
sects the main branch of Duck 
River; thence down Duck River 
to the military line ; thence west, 
with the military line, to the 
Tennessee River; thence down 
■ the Tennessee River to the north- 
ern boundary of the State, called 
the Congressional line (see Map), 




Controversy as to Public IvAnds. 153 

and exempted the same from taxation nntil the expiration of five years 
after the same should be sohl. 

(b) The United States ceded to Tennessee the lands east and 
north of the Congressional line, subject to the following conditions : 

(i) Tennessee should satisfy all North Carolina land claims out 
of the territory ceded to it. 

(2) It should appropriate too,ooo acres to be located in one entire 
tract, within the district south of French Broad and Holston and west 
of Big Pigeon River, for the use of two colleges, one in East and one in 
West (Middle) Tennessee. 

(3) It should appropriate 100,000 acres, in one tract within said 
limit, for the use of academies, one in each county in the State. 

(4) It should, moreover, in issuing grants, and perfecting titles, 
locate 640 acres to every six miles square in the territory ceded to it, 
where existing claims would allow the same, which should be appropri- 
ated for the use of schools forever. 

(5) That the college and academy lands should not be sold for less 
than two dollars per acre, provided, that the people residing south of 
French Broad and Holston and west of Big Pigeon River should be 
secured in their rights of occupancy and preemption at a price not less 
than one dollar per acre. 

271. College and Academy Lands. — It will be observed that the 
college and academy lands were to be laid off in two entire tracts of 
100,000 acres each, to be located south of French Broad and Holston 
rivers, and west of Big Pigeon River (see Map). The purpose of these 
provisions was that the college and academy rights might be located on 
the lands preempted by the pioneer settlers of that region, which is the 
only section of the State that has never been subject to appropriation on 
North Carolina land warrants. On the same day the Legislature 
accepted the act of Congress, it directed the college and academy lands 
to be laid oft" in two entire tracts, and in order that they might embrace 
the very best lands in the district, it was provided that they should 
contain land actually claimed by occupancy, or such as was fit for culti- 
vation and improvement. 

272. Pioneers of the Country South of French Broad and 
Holston. — The pioneers of the country south of the French Broad and 
Holston rivers (see Map) have an interesting history. They had first 
settled their homes with the most heroic courage under sanction of 
treaties between the State of Franklin and the Cherokee Indians at 
Dumplin Creek and at Coyatee. In 1788 the authority of North Caro- 



154 History of Tennessee. 

lina having been completely restored over the territory of the late State 
of Franklin, they found themselves without governmental "protection. 
In this situation, following the instincts of the Anglo-Saxon race, they 
adopted such rules of government as were suited to their condition, 
and existed as a separate and independent republic until received into 
the Southwest Territory. 

In his message to the Legislature in 1806, Governor Sevier declared 
that they were "respectable and worthy inhabitants, who have suffered 
by Indian depredations in a manner too deplorable to relate," and rec- 
ommended that the paternal care of the Assembly be tenderly exercised 
toward such a deserving and worthy class of citizens. 

The Legislature accordingly secured these lands to the occupants 
at the minimum price fixed; the more readily, in view of the fact that 
one dollar per acre was all, and perhaps more, than the lands were 
worth. 

273. The Provision in Favor of Public Schools. — The same act 
which provided 200,000 acres for colleges and academies also provided 
640 acres in every six miles square for the use of common schools. 
This latter provision was practically ineffective, because the lands had 
already been taken up and were no longer subject to appropriation for 
school purposes. It was the first care of the State to direct that the 
lands north and east of the Congressional line, exclusive of the district 
south of the French Broad and Holston rivers, be laid off into districts 
and sections, and that 640 acres of land in each section of six miles 
square, which should be fit for cultivation and improvement, and as 
near the center of such section as existing claims and quality of the 
land would admit, should be set apart for the use of schools. But so 
completely had the lands fit for cultivation and improvement, which 
alone were then considered worth the cost of entering, been taken up 
under the laws of North Carolina, that the surveyors of the six districts 
north and east of the Congressional line could locate only 22,705 acres 
of school lands out of a total of '444,444 acres to which the State was 
estimated to be entitled. 



Thk Great Revival. 155 



CHAPTER XXII. 



THE GREAT REVIVAL, AND THE ORIGIN OF THE CUM- 
BERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH — 1800-1S10. 

274. Presbyterians First in the Field. — The early religious devel- 
opment of Tennessee was as marked and characteristic as its political 
growth. Both were distinguished by a robust independence and indi- 
viduality of thought and action, which was not always conducive to 
peace and harmony. The first preachers on the grounds were Presby- 
terians. The Baptists and Methodists did not reach the field until 
some ten years later. In 1772, the Rev. Charles Cummings located at 
Wolf Hills (Abingdon, Va.), and served two congregations on the 
frontiers along the Holston. One of these embraced the pioneers of 
Sullivan County, and was in reach of the Watauga settlement across 
the river. Cummings was a patriot as well as a preacher. He served 
his county as chairman of its committee of safety in 1775, and was 
Chaplain of Col. Christian's regiment in the expedition against the 
Cherokees in 1776. It was his custom to carry his rifle to the pulpit 
and deposit it in easy reach before he commenced the services of 
the day. 

275. The Presbyterians. — The Presbyterian Church laid great 
stress on the orthodoxy and learning of its ministry. It was early 
divided into "Old Side" and "X'ew Side," chiefly on these questions. 
Though this breach was healed in 1758, the differences which gave rise 
to it still existed when Tennessee w^as admitted to the Union in 1796. 
Abingdon Presbytery had been formed in 1785. In 1786 it was 
divided into Abingdon and Transylvania Presbyteries, the latter being 
composed of David Rice, Thomas Craighead. Adam Rankin, Andrew 
McClure, and John Crawford, and embracing the Cumberland settle- 
ments of Tennessee, in which Craighead had located in 1785. Of the 
ministers who formed Abingdon Presbytery, Charles Cummings, 
Samuel Doak, Edward Crawford, Joseph Lake, and James Balch held 
the opinions of the "Old Side," while Hesekiah Balch, John Coussan, 
Samuel Carrick, Robert Henderson, and Gideon Blackburn entertained 
the more liberal views of the "New Side." Hesekiah Balch was 
brought before the Presbytery for teaching "Hopkinsianism." The 
"Old Side" ministers above mentioned were so dissatisfied with the 



156 



History of Tenne;ssee. 



Presbytery for accepting his explanations and apology, that they 
seceded and formed the "Independent Presbytery of Abingdon." In 
the following year (1797) the seceders disavowed their independence, 
and made their submission to the Synod. The suspension pronounced 
against them was thereupon removed, and they were restored to the full 
exercise of their ministerial office. But the differences between the 
parties being found irreconcilable, Abingdon Presbytery was again 
divided, this time into Abingdon and Union, the "Old Side" ministers 
constituting the former, and the "New Side" the latter.^ 

276. The Baptists. — About 1780, William Murphy, James Keel, 
Thomas Murrell, Tidence Lane, Isaac Barton, Matthew Talbot, Joshua 
Kelly, and John Christian, ministers of the Baptist Church, and all 
from Virginia, except Tidence Lane, who was from North Carolina, 
moved into what was called the Ilolston country. Considerable num- 
bers of their brethren accompanied them — sometimes in an organized 
capacity, as was the case with a body from Sandy Creek Church in 
North Carolina, which settled on Boone's Creek. The Baptists were 

not, however, so numerous as the Pres- 
, ' ■ ^ byterians or Methodists, and took little 

part in the great revival of 1800.- 

277. The Methodists. — Jeremiah 
Lambert was appointed to the Holston 
Circuit in 1783. and was the first Meth- 
odist preacher in Tennessee. Three 
years later, Methodism was carried to 
Middle Tennessee by Benjamin Ogden. 
The work on the Cumberland was 
greatly retarded for a time by the 
schism headed by James O'Kelly, and 
called Repul)Hcan Methodists. When 
William Burk came to the Cumberland 
Circuit in 1795, he found that James Haw, who had been the leading 
Methodist on the Cumberland, had embraced the views of O'Kelly, and 
by his influence and address had brought over to his schism the travel- 
ing preachers, and all but one of the local preachers in the country.^ 




Rev. John B. McFerrin, D. D. 



' Rev. James Park's History of First Presbyterian Church in Knoxville. 
° Benedict's History of the Baptists (Edition of 1813), Vol. H. pp. 214-215, 
and 252. 

* Finley's Sketches of Western Methodism, p. 46. 



The Great Revival. 157 

But by the conference of 1796, Bishop Asbury was able to congrat- 
ulate him on the defeat of the O'Kellyites during the year. The sub- 
sequent growth of the church may be studied in the very full and 
complete History of Methodism in Tennessee, by Rev. John B. 
McFerrin, one of its pioneers. 

278. James McGready, and the Beginning of the Great Revival. — 

In the meantime a great revivalist appeared in the Transylvania Pres- 
bytery. James McGready had a remarkable experience. Born in 
North Carolina of Presbyterian parents, at an early age he was admitted 
to the communion of the church, and became a candidate for the min- 
istry. He was given excellent opportunities for his education, to 
which he applied himself with diligence. One night he overheard a 
conversation not intended for his ears, in which two of his friends 
agreed in the opinion that he was a mere formalist, a stranger to 
regenerating grace. His conscience was toitched. A rigid self 
examination convinced him of the justice of the criticism. He became 
an earnest seeker, and himself leaves the record of his subsequent 
conversion. He now devoted himself to the ministry with great earn- 
estness and power. His success brought with it opposition. He was 
charged with running the people distracted, and diverting their atten- 
tion from the necessary avocations of life. This was in Orange 
County, North Carolina. In 1796, he moved to Logan County, Ken- 
tucky, and became pastor of Gasper River, Red River, and Muddy 
River congregations. In the spring of the following year, a woman, 
a communicant of the Gasper River Church, was converted, and labored 
among her friends and neighbors with the same earnestness and zeal 
that had followed McGready's conversion. The result was a general 
awakening in the Gasper River congregation. This was the beginning 
of the great revival of 1800. 

279. John and William McG-ee. — John and William McGee were 
brothers. They were natives of Guilford County, N.C. Their parents 
were Presbyterians. John McGee, while on a visit to a brother in 
Maryland, joined the Methodist Church, in which he soon afterwards 
became a preacher. When William McGee grew up he joined the 
Presbyterian Church, perhaps under the ministration of McGready. 
He became a preacher, and in 1794 moved to Sumner County, Tenn., 
then Southwest Territory, and took pastoral charge of the Shiloh con- 
gregation. In 1798 John McGee also emigrated to Tennessee and 
settled near Dixon's Springs, in Smith County. 



158 History of Tennessibk. 

280. The McGee Brothers Join in the Revival. — During the year 
1798, the revival work was greatly intensified on Gasper River, and 
spread to McGready's other congregations. The next year it was 
renewed in all three congregations with remarkable manifestations and 
wonderful effect. Their doctrinal dift'erences were not sufficient to 
dissolve the ties of love and affection which bound the AIcGee brothers 
together. In this year they agreed to make a tour together through 
the barrens towards Ohio, and attend a sacramental meeting in 
McGready's Red River congregation on the way. At this meeting 
were first manifested those remarkable demonstrations or exercises 
that generally characterized the great revival. From this time the 
Presbyterians and Methodists united in the revival work. 

281. The First Camp - Meeting. — With the year 1800, the work 
continued with increasing power. The sacramental meetings at Red 
River in June, McGready pronounced the greatest season of refreshing 
these churches had yet experienced. But the country was very sparsely 
populated. Many pioneers never had preaching nearer than twenty 
miles of them. For those who had so far to go, a protracted meeting 
appeared an impossibility. A family just moved to the county desired 
to attend one of McGready's meetings. For want of a better way, 
they provided themselves with necessary provisions, and attended in 
their wagon, and camped near the church, as they had camped during 
their journey to the West. They were enabled to give their uninter- 
rupted attention to the divine ministration. 

At a subsequent meeting, two or three families went in a similar 
way. McGready observed it, and previous to the meeting at Gasper 
River, in July, 1800, he proclaimed far and wide that he expected the 
people to camp on the ground. A vast concourse of people attended, 
some coming, it is stated, from twenty, thirty, fifty, and even a hundred 
miles. This was the first camp-meeting ever held. The people adapted 
themselves to the conditions which surrounded them. These meetings 
spread rapidly over all the Western country, where they were as useful 
as they were popular. They have gradually subsided as the density of 
population has made them less necessary. 

282. The Jerks. — One of the most remarkable characteristics of 
the Great Revival was the physical exercises with which it was attended. 
They are generally referred to as the "J^^'^S''' though the jerks was 
only one form of their manifestation. The first exercise developed 
was that of falling, where the subject, generally with a piercing scream, 
would fall to the earth, and appear as one dead. This occurred in 



The Great Revivai,. 159 

the Red River congregation in 1799, where, in the language of John 
McGee, the floor was soon covered with the slain. The jerks some- 
times affected a single member, and again the whole body. If the 
head alone were affected, it would be jerked backward and forward, or 
from side to side, with such rapidity that the features could not be 
distinguished. If the whole system were affected, the body would jerk 
backward and forward in quick succession, the head descending each 
time nearly to the earth. Saints and sinners, the wise and ignorant, 
alike were subjected to these exercises, with their accompanying mani- 
festations of singing, shouting, crying, leaping, and dancing, at church, 
at home, on the road, and in the forest. They attracted the attention 
of people of the whole world. Many from every quarter came to 
witness the strange manifestations, great numbers of whom had their 
hearts deeply affected. In this way it served to spread the work of the 
revival. 

283. More Preachers Demanded. — At first the Presbyterian min- 
isters, generally, as well as the Methodists, proclaimed themselves 
friends to the revival, but as the work progressed, some of them with- 
drew their countenance from it. Although the revival ministers 
labored night and day. the cry of the people for more preaching was 
incessant. At this juncture, the Rev. David Rice, the oldest minister 
in the Transylvania Presbytery, who lived in one of the upper counties 
of Kentucky, visited and made himself acquainted with the situation in 
the Cumberland country. He came to the conclusion that their only 
remedy was to make use of such material as they themselves could 
furnish. He therefore proposed the plan of encouraging such among 
them as appeared to be men of good talents, and who discovered a 
disposition to exercise their gifts in a public way, to preach the gospel, 
although they might not have acquired that degree of education which 
the letter of the discipline required. 

284. Anderson, Ewing, and King Licensed. — In accordance with 
the recommendation of Rice, Alexander Anderson, Finis Ewing, and 
Samuel King, zealous, intelligent, and influential members of the 
church, were encouraged to present themselves before the Transylvania 
Presbytery. Neither of them had enjoyed the advantages of a col- 
legiate education, and all of them were now men of families, someWhat 
advanced in age. Finally, on a close division, a minority protesting, 
they were licensed as probationers by Transylvania Presbytery, having 
adopted the confession of faith with the exception of the idea of fatality, 
which they believed it taught. Subsequently they were ordained as 




i6o History of Tennessee. 

ministers of the gospel by Cumberland Presbytery, which was formed 
from Transylvania in 1802. 

285. Cumberland Presbytery Dissolved. — The division of Transyl- 

vania Presbytery gave the revival party 
a decided majority in that part of it 
formed into Cumberland Presbytery, 
which majority was increased from year 
to year. Then came a long contest be- 
tween the majority of Cumberland Pres- 
bytery and Kentucky Synod. Finally, 
Cuml)crland Presbytery was dissolved, 
and the majority formed themselves into 
a Council, and agreed on a petition to the 
General Assembly. They determined to 
promote the interest of the church as well 
REv.jNo.L.DiLLARD.D.D. ^^ ^hcy could uutil an answer to their 

petition could be o1)tained. The "General 
Assembly requested the Synod to review its proceedings. This encour- 
aged the council to send forward a second petition. Upon this the 
General Assembly decided with the synod. 

286. Organization of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. — An 
efifort to effect a reconciliation with the Kentucky Synod having failed, 
on the 4th day of February, 18 10, in the old log house of Samuel Mc- 
Adow, in Dickson County, Tennessee, Samuel McAdow, Finis Ewing, 
and Samuel King, regularly ordained ministers of the Presbyterian 
Church, against whom no charge, either of immorality or heresy, had 
ever been made, constituted themselves into a Presbytery, known by the 
name of Cumberland Presbytery, on condition that no candidate for the 
ministry should be required to receive and adopt so much of the Con- 
fession and Discipline of the Presbyterian Church as teaches the idea of 
fatality, nor to stand an examination in any other than the English 
language. Such was the origin of the Cumberland Presbyterian 
Church. Its name was taken from the old Cumberland Presbytery, 
which had been named for the Cumberland River, that flowed through 
its bounds. It celebrated the semi-centennial of the meeting of its 
first General Assembly in 1880, Rev. John L. Dillard, D. D., who 
assisted in its organization, delivering the principal address. The 
church now numbers more than 200,000 members. 

287. Other Christian Churches. — Prior to 1810 the Presbyterians, 
Baptists, Methodists, and Cumberland Presbyterians were the only 



Administration of Willie Blount. 



i6i 



denominations represented in Tennessee. Subsequently, most of the 
leading churches have extended their organizations into the State ; the 
Lutherans in 1825, the Disciples or Christians ini826, the Episcopalians 
in 1827, and the Catholics in 1830. All of them now have large and 
important foUowings. 



CHAPTER XXTTI. 



ADMINISTRATION OF WILLIE BLOUNT — iSqq-i8 15. 



288. The Jackson Party Obtains Control of the State Govern- 
ment. — As we have seen, Governor Sevier and General Jackson were 
the great rivals for leadership in Ten- 
nessee. The result seemed to depend 
upon the population of their respective 
divisions of the State. By the time 
Governor Sevier had held his office a 
second time for the constitutional limil 
of six years, the preponderance of the 
western portion of the State was un- 
doubted. In 1809, Willie (pronounced 
Wy-ly) Blount, a Middle Tennessee 
man, was elected his successor, and was 
reelected for the constitutional limit of 
three terms. Just before the expiration 
of Governor Sevier's last term, he became 

a candidate for the United States Senate, to succeed Judge Anderson, 
but Anderson was reelected by a vote of 23 to 16. Two years later, 
Governor Sevier was elected to Congress from the Knoxville District, 
and kept there by repeated elections as long as he lived. 

289. The War of 1812. — Early in Governor Blount's second 
term, war was declared against Great Britain. It is not the province 
of a State History to discuss the cause of that war, or recount its events. 
It is sufficient to say, it was highly pleasing to the people of Tennessee, 
to whom the disunion sentiments of the New England Federalists, 
which culminated in the celebrated Hartford convention, of December, 
1814, were odious. With the admission of the State into the Union, the 




Gov. Willie Blount. 



1 62 History of Tennkssek. 

control of the Federal Government had passed into the hands of the Re- 
publican or Democratic party, whose political principles were in accord 
with the sentiments of the people of Tennessee. They were prepared, 
therefore, to support Mr. Madison in this second war with Great Britain. 
At the first sound of the tocsin, General Jackson, with 2,500 Tennessee 
volunteers, entered the services of the government. His objective point 
was New Orleans, but he was stopped at Natchez, and there left to 
chafe and fret under enforced inactivity, until he received an order 
from the Secretary of War dismissing his corps from service. This 
was in mid-winter, February, 1813, and five hundred miles from home. 
General Jackson determined, at any hazard, to march his men back to 
Tennessee before he dismissed them. It was on this homeward march 
that he received the afi^ectionate nickname of "Old Hickory." 

290. Tecumseh" and Weatherford. — Tecumseh, chief of the 
Shawnee Indians, was a great man. He had the capacity to conceive 
grand projects and difficult combinations, and the magnetism and 
address to win multitudes to his cause. It was he who formed the 
great scheme of uniting all the Western tribes of Indians, from the Gulf 
to the lakes, in a close confederation against the whites, for the purpose 
of recovering then" ancient heritage. In furtherance of his enterprise, 
he visited Alabama, where his parents had lived. While here, William 
Weatherford, or Red Eagle, as the Indians called him, was won over to 
his plans. But when it became apparent that the Creek nation could 
not be made to unite on the enterprise, Weatherford desired to withdraw 
from it. But it was too late. The war party had been wrought up to 
such a frenzy that they could no longer he controlled. 

291. The Massacre of Fort Mims. — The Alabama country, then a 
part of Mississippi Territory, was dotted with forts and block-houses, 
just as this had been in its early settlement. Samuel Mims had built 
a fort not far from Mobile. When the country became thoroughly 
alarmed, his neighbors hastened to his enclosure. Governor Claiborne 
sent a detachment of volunteers to assist in its defense. In all, it 
contained five hundred and fifty-three souls, more than one hundred of 
whom were the wives and children of the pioneers. On the morning 
of August 30, 18 1 3, the commandant wrote Governor Claiborne that 
the fort was impregnable. Before night the Indians surprised, 
assaulted, and took it, and massacred its unfortunate inmates. Hardly 
more than a score escaped. Not a white woman or cliild was spared. 
Weatherford was in command, l)ut he made an earnest though fruitless 
effort to save the captives. 




Administration of Wii^lie Blount. 163 

292. News of the Massacre Reaches Nashville. — News o^ the fall 
of Fort Minis reached Nashville on the 
i8th of September, and created the 
most intense excitement. A public 
meeting was held. Committees were 
appointed to confer with Governor 
Blount and General Jackson. Jackson 
had been in bed two weeks from 
wounds he had received in an affray 
with the 'Bentons, but he assured the 
committee that he would be al)le to 
command as soon as the freemen of 

Tennessee could .be assembled. The 
Legislature was convened at once, and 

1 /-^ Gkn. John Coffee. 

on the 25th of bcptember the Governor 

was authorized to call thirt3'-five luinch-ed volunteers to the field, in 
addition to the fifteen hundred already enrolled in the service of the 
United States. On the next day, Jackson dispatched Col. John Coffee 
with his regiment of five hundred horse, and such mounted volunteers 
as he could instantly assemble, to Huntsville, two hundred miles south 
of Nashville. By the time he reached Huntsville, Octol)er 4th, his force 
had been augmented to nearly thirteen Inmdred men. Jackson's whole 
division reached Huntsville on October nth. 

293. The Battles of Tallushatchee, Talladega, Emuckfau, and 
Enotachopco. — In this campaign Jackson displayed every characteristic 
of a great commander. He was confronted with most unusual difficul- 
ties. In a hostile and unsettled country, he was without supplies. 
The fortitude of his troops not being equal to their bravery, they 
nuitinied, and only returned to their duty when, as he stood before 
them, his left arm still in a sling, and his musket resting upon the neck 
of his horse, Jackson swore he would shoot the first man who attempted 
to proceed. November 3d, he engaged the enemy at Tallushatchee, 
whither General Coffee had been dispatched with a force of nine 
hundred men to destroy a large band of hostile Indians who occupied 
that place. After a bloody resistance. General Coffee obtained a signal 
victory. The Indians fought till their last warrior was killed — not 
one escaped. Jackson now built Fort Strother, at the Ten Islands in 
Coosa River, which he made the base of his operations. On the 8th, he 
marched to the relief of a band of friendly Indians cooped up in Talla- 



164 History of Tknnesseb. 

dega by a force of more than a thousand hostile Creeks. On the 9th, 
the Battle of Talladega was fought, in which General Jackson was 
again entirely successful. On January 22d and 24th, the battles of 
Emuckfau and Enotachopco were fought. In the latter action, General 
Coffee was severely wounded. The venerable William Cocke, whom 
Jackson had succeeded in the United States Senate in 1797, at the age 
of sixty-five, entered this engagement, joined in the pursuit of the 
enemy with youthful ardor, and saved the life of a fellow soldier by kill- 
ing his savage antagonist.^ 

294. Jackson Prepares for a Decisive Battle. — The decisive battle 
of the campaign was that of Tohopeka, or Tehopisca, as General 
Jackson calls it in his official report to Governor Blount, from which 
this account of the battle is taken. After the battle of Enotachopco, 
Jackson had been reinforced by six hundred regulars vmder Col. John 
Williams, and large bodies of militia from both East and Middle Ten- 
nessee. He now had all the force he required, and at once set about 
making provisions for an energetic campaign. His first objective 
point was the Indian stronghold at Tohopeka. His army now num- 
bered about five thousand men. After detaching such numbers as 
were necessary for other duties, particularly for garrisoning Forts 
Strother and Williams, the latter of which he erected between Fort 
Strother and Tohopeka, he was left at the head of some three thousand 
men. With these he set out from Fort Williams on the 24th of March 
for Tallapoosa. He reached the bend of the Tallapoosa three miles 
beyond the scene of the battle of Enotachopco, on the morning of 
the 27th. 

295. The Indian Stronghold. — This bend, the report says, "re- 
sembled in curvature that of a horseshoe, and is thence called by that 
name by the whites. Nature furnishes few situations so eligible for 
defense, and barbarians have never rendered one more secure by art. 
Across the neck of land which leads into it on the north, they had 
erected a breastwork of the greatest compactness and strength, from 
five to eight feet high, and prepared with double rows of port holes 
very artfully arranged. The figure of this wall manifested no less skill 
in the projectors of it, than its constructors. An army could not 
approach it without being exposed to a double and cross-fire from the 
enemy, who lay in perfect security behind it. The area of this penin- 
sula thus bounded by the breastworks, includes, I conjecture, eighty 

' General Jackson's dispatch to General Pinckney. 



Administration op W11.1.1E; Blount. 



165 



or one hundred acres."' This fort was defended by perhaps a thousand 
Indian warriors 




Plan of Battle of Tohopeka, 

prepared bv 

Gen. Andrew Jackson. 



Coffee Cavalry. 
Cherokees. ^ 

Indian Village. 
High Grounds. 
Breastworks. 
Island. 

Advanced Guard. 
Hill and Artillery. 
Regulars. 



10. Wagons, Pack - horses, and 

Wounded, in center. 

11. Colonel Copeland. 

12. East Tennessee Militia. 

13. Colonel Cheatham. 

14. Rear Guard. 

15. Emuckfau — old battleground. 

16. New Youcau — burnt before. 

17. High Hills. 



o. That angle at which Montgomery fell. 



See Plan of Battle, which was prepared by Jackson, to accompany his 



report. 



i66 . History of Tennessee. 

296. Disposition of Jackson's Forces. — General Jackson meant 
that his victory shotild he complete, and early on the morning of the 
27th, he dispatched General Coffee with his force of some seven hundred 
mounted men, and nearly all the Indians, with instructions to cross the 
river, and surrounded the bend, so that none of the enemy could escape 
in that direction. By 10.30 o'clock the artillery was placed on a small 
eminence in front of the breastworks, and opened fire upon its center, 
which was continued about two hours. 

297. Jackson Takes the Fort by Storm. — At this point. Captain 
Russell's company of spies and the Cherokee force crossed over to the 
extremity of the peninsula in canoes, and set fire to a few of the Indian 
buildings in that part of the place. They then advanced upon the 
breastworks, and commenced firing upon the enemy from his rear. 

General Jackson now determined to take the place by storm. The 
men entreated to be led to the charge with most pressing importunity, 
and received the order with the strongest demonstrations of joy. The 
regulars were soon in possession of the nearer side of the breastworks. 
The militia accompanied them with great vivacity and firmness. 

After a short but very obstinate muzzle to muzzle contest through 
the port-holes, in which many of the enemy's bullets were welded to the 
Tennesseans' bayonets, the latter succeeded in gaining possession of the 
opposite side of the works. Maj. L. P. Montgomery, for whom the 
capital of Alabama is named, was the first man upon the breastworks, 
and while calling upon his men to follow, he received a ball in his head 
and fell to the ground dead. A young ensign instantly moimted to his 
place. A barbed arrow pierced his thigh, but, nothing daunted, he called 
to his comrades to follow, and leaped down among the Indians. This 
was Sam Houston, afterwards the hero of San Jacinto. He was fol- 
lowed by the others, and the enemy was routed and cut to pieces. When 
they gave way. Ensign Houston sat down and called a lieutenant from 
his company to extract the arrow from his thigh. T.wo vigorous efforts 
failed to release it. In a fury of pain and impatience he cried, "Try 
again, and if you fail I will smite you to the earth." Exerting all his 
strength, the lieutenant literally tore the barbed missile from the ensign's 
flesh. The wound bled so profusely that he had to retire for the purpose 
of having it bandaged. Nevertheless, it was Ensign Houston who vol- 
unteered to lead a charge for the purpose of dislodging a party of the 
enemy who had taken cover under the bluffs of the river. Two balls in 
his right shoulder brought his arm powerless to his side, and staggering 
out of the fire, he lav down totally disabled 



Administration op WilIvIK Blount. 167 

The carnage was terril)le. The Indians neither asked nor would 
they receive c[uarters. Between eight and nine hundred of their braves 
were slain. Hardly more than a score escaped. Jackson's fatalities 
were 49 killed and 154 wounded, about one-third of whom were friendly 
Indians. This was the last stand made by the Indians. Their power 
was utterly and permanently broken. 

298. Weatherford's Speech. — Weatherford accepted Jackson's 
terms of peace in a speech that has been pronounced the most remark- 
able of any in the Indian tongues.^ "There was a time," he said, "when 
I had a choice and could have answered you. I have none now — even 
hope has ended. Once I could animate my warriors to battle, but I 
can not animate the dead. My warriors can no longer hear my voice ; 
their bones are at Talladega, Tellushatchee, Emuckfau, and Tohopeka. 
I have not surrendered myself thoughtlessly. Whilst there were 
chances of success I never left my post nor supplicated peace, but my 
people are gone, and I now ask it for my nation and for myself. On 
the miseries and misfortunes brought upon mv country, I look back 
with deepest sorrow, and wish to avert still greater calamities. If I 
had been left to contend with the Georgia army,. I could have raised my 
corn on one bank of the river, and fought them on the other ; but your 
people have destroyed my nation. You are a brave man. I rely upon 
your generosity. You will exact no terms of a conquered people but 
such as they should accede to. Whatever they may be, it would now 
be murder and folly to oppose. If they are opposed, you shall find me 
amongst the strongest enforcers of obedience. Those who would 
still hold out can be influenced only by a mean spirit of revenge, and to 
this they must not and shall not sacrifice the last remnant of their 
country. You have told our nation where we might go and be safe. 
This is good talk, and they ought to listen to it. They shall listen to it !" 

299. Jackson Goes to New Orleans. — On the return of General 
Jackson and his militia to Tennessee, they were everywhere received 
with unbounded enthusiasm. Jackson was the idol of the State. Old 
enmities were forgotten ; geographical boundaries were obliterated ; 
the whole State united to do him honor. His fame penetrated even 
beyond the State. In May, 18 14, a brigadier generalship in the regular 
army fell vacant, and the President offered it to General Jackson. A 
few days later. Major General William Henry Harrison resigned. Be- 
fore General Jackson had accepted or rejected the brigadier generalship, 

^ Henry A. Wise's Seven Decades of the Union, p. 62. See Pickett's History 
of Alabama. 



i68 . History of Tennessee. 

he received a tender of the major generalship, which he at once 
accepted. He now marched to New Orleans, and the fame of his 
exploits there penetrated to the remotest cjuarters of the civilized 
world. 

300. The Battle of New Orleans. — The principal engagement at 
New Orleans was fought on the 8th of January, 1815. Jackson's 
position was protected hy a line of mud breastworks, with a ditch in 
front, and was defended by a miscellaneous force of some 5,500 men, 
consisting largely of Tennessee and Kentucky riflemen. The enemy 
numbered 10,000 fighting men, chiefly veterans of the Peninsular war, 
and were commanded by Sir Edward Packenham, among the ablest of 
the Iron Duke's lieutenants. They were reputed the best troops in 
Europe, and certainly lost nothing of their character by their conduct in 
America. All night on the 7th, the din of preparation could be heard 
in the British camp. By sunrise on the 8th, they were drawn up in 
martial array. Then the column moved forward with a firm step and 
determined purpose. The main attack was to be on the Americans' 
left, which was defended by the Tennessee riflemen under Generals 
Carroll and Coffee. Amid a terrific artillery duel, the scarlet column 
moved steadily forward in perfect order and with unfaltering tread. 
As they approached the American works, they broke into a run. Gen- 
eral Carroll coolly waited until they were within two hundred yards 
before he gave the word "fire !" Then rank after rank of the Tennessee 
riflemen rose and fired with such deadly aim that the withering column 

of the enemy staggered, halted, and gave 
back. The gallant Packenham then rallied 
them, and with the determined purpose of 
* veterans, they renewed the assault. The 

leaden hail again beat in their faces, and 
Packenham and Gibbs both fell before it. 
In vain Keane brought the stubborn High- 
landers to the assault. They could do no 
more than mingle their blood with that of 
their comrades, a^ his blood mingled with 
that of Packenham and Gibbs. The British 
lost more than two thousand men in the 
Gen. Edmund Pendleton engagement, most of whom fell in the main 
attack, in which the American loss was only 
thirteen. "The American soldiers deserve great credit for doing so 
well ; but greater credit still belongs to Andrew Jackson, who, with 




Administration of Joseph McMinn. 169 

his cool head and quick eye, his stout heart and strong hand, stands out 
in history as the ablest general the United States produced from the 
outbreak of the Revolution down to the beginning of the Great Re- 
bellion."* 

301. Generals Gaines and Winchester. — While Jackson was 
making the arms of Tennessee famous, in the South, Generals Edmund 
Pendleton Gaines and James Winchester were adding honor to her 
martial spirit, in the North. General Gaines was brevetted major 
general and received the thanks of Congress and a gold medal for his 
gallant defense of Fort Erie, in 1814. 



CHAPTER XXIV. 

ADMINISTRATION OF JOSLiPII yr MINN — 1S15-1821. 

302. McMinn Elected Governor. — The administration of Gov- 
ernor Blount had closed in a blaze of glory. He had contributed much 
to the successful termination of the Creek W?.r by his hearty and ener- 
getic cooperation with General Jackson. In Jackson's greatest need 
he had raised $370,000 on his own responsibility, for which he received 
the thanks of the President, three Secretaries of War, and the Legis- 
lature of his State. He now retired, and a number of distinguished 
citizens contested for the succession — Jesse Wharton, Robert C. Foster, 
Robert Weakley, and Thomas Johnson, from Middle Tennessee, and 
Joseph McMinn, from East Tennessee. McMinn was elected. The 
new governor was a Pennsylvanian by birth. He came to Tennessee 
before the organization of the Territorial government in 1790, and acted 
a prominent part in the early history of the State. He was twice 
reelected governor, defeating Robert C. Foster in 1817, and Enoch 
Parsons in 1819. 

303. The Seminole War. — In 1817, the Seminole war broke out. 
General Jackson was sent to conduct it, and was authorized to call on 
the adjacent States for such additional troops as he might need. The 
only volunteers he carried with him were 1,100 Tennesseans. It was 
in this campaign that he seized Pensacola, notwithstanding the protest 
of the Spanish governor. ' He also arrested Arbuthnot and Ambrister, 

* Roosevelt's Naval War of 1812, p. 492. 



170 



History op Tennessee. 




John Henry Eaton. 



who were English subjects, and had them tried by cotirtmartial for 
aiding the Indians. In accordance with its sentence, the former was 
lianged and the latter shot. This invasion of Spanish territory and 
execution of English subjects not only threat- 
ened international complications, but were made 
subjects of the bitterest criticism by Jackson's 
opponents at home. 

In 1818, John H. Eaton was appointed to the 
United States Senate. He had completed and 
published, in 1817, a life of Andrew Jackson, 
which had been commenced by John Reid. This 
was the first life of Jackson printed. Eaton con- 
tinued in the Senate until 1829, when he retired 
to enter Jackson's Cabinet as Secretary of War. 

304. West Tennessee Opened for Entry. — 
Two of the most interesting questions that arose 
in the administration of Governor ]\IcMinn was the opening of West 
Tennessee for settlement, and the financial panic of 1819-20. West 
Tennessee embraces that part of the State lying west of the Tennessee 
River. When it was first opened for settlement, it was called the 
Western District, because, up to that time, the middle portion of the 
State had been called West Tennessee. But it was not long before the 
three grand divisions of the State received their natural designations of 
East, Middle, and West Tennessee. The reader will remember that 
the compact of 1806, between the United States and Tennessee, vested 
the title to all the lands in the Congressional Reservation, which included 
West Tennessee, in the United States, with the proviso that if there 
should not be enough land north and east of the Congressional line to 
satisfy the North Carolina land warrants, issued in accordance with 
the reservation in her deed of cession, any excess might be satisfied out 
of the Congressional Reservation. In 1818, it was clearly and certainly 
ascertained that there was not a sufficient quantity of land north and 
east of the Congressional line to satisfy the outstanding claims of North 
Carolina.^ Accordingly, on the 4th of April, 1818, Congress passed an 
act authorizing Tennessee to issue grants and perfect titles on such 
claims, to lands south and west of the Congressional line, in the same 
manner she did to those north and east of that line.- 



'American State Papers, Public Lands, Vol. IV, p. 382. 
^3 United States Statutes at Large, p. 416. 



Administration OP Joseph McMiNN. 171 

305. Indian Title to West Tennessee Extinguished. — The right 
to have North Carohna land warrants satisfied out of West Tennessee 
lands did not carry with it the right of present possession. West Ten- 
nessee was then in the possession of the Cliickasaw Indians. It was 
necessary to extinguish their title hefore it could be opened for settle- 
ment. For this purpose, Isaac Shelby and Andrew Jackson were 
appointed to treat with the Indians. Accordingly, on the 19th of Oc- 
tober, 1 818, a treaty was concluded, by which the United States pur- 
chased from the Chickasaws, for $300,000, payable in fifteen annual 
installments, all the land lying north of the southern boundary of Ten- 
nessee, and between the rivers Tennessee, Ohio, and Mississippi. 
Hence, this country has been often called the "Purchase," the "Western 
Purchase," or "Jackson's Purchase."^ 

306. Settlement of West Tennessee. — The last obstacle to its 
settlement having been removed, the Legislature passed an act* laying 
ofif the newly opened territory into surveyors' districts, requiring it to 
be surveyed into ranges and sections, and making proper provision for 
obtaining title to its lands. Emigrants in great numbers now found 
their way to West Tennessee. Most of them came from the older 
settlements in Middle and East Tennessee, but many came down the 
Mississippi River and entered it from the west. Adam R. Alexander 
settled about two miles west of a place at first called Alexandria, in his 
honor, now the city of Jackson. Still an important place, it was, for a 
time, the leading town in West Tennessee. Jesse Benton settled near the 
mouth of Big Hatchie River, where a town grew up called Randolph, 
now of small importance, but for many years the commercial rival of 
Memphis. David Crockett settled on the Obion River, and has made 
the whole district famous, as well for his unparalleled success in bear 
hunting as for his famous political contests with Adam R. Alexander, 
William Fitzgerald, and Adam Huntsman. By 1830, West Tennessee 
had a pupolation of 99,000. 

307. Memphis. — Shelby County, erected in 1819, was the first 
county that lay wholly in West Tennessee. The commanding position 
of the Chickasaw Blufi^s, where Memphis now stands, marked it as one 
of the most important points On the Mississippi River. It was recog- 
nized by the French and Spanish, who erected forts there before the 
earliest settlements in this State. They viewed it from a military 

' See Chapter XVIII on Indian Treaties, p. 134. 
^October 23, 1819 — Acts of 1819. Chapter I. 



172 



History op Tennessee. 



standpoint. Afterwards far-seeing- men recognized its equally impor- 
tant conmiercial advantages. 

In the troublous winter of 1791-92, when General Robertson called 
for volunteers to act as spies and rangers, John Rice and some other 
young men left Sevier's Station, on the north side of Red River, near 
Clarksville, intending to proceed up the Cumberland by boat, and join 
him at Nashville. Discovering- their purpose, a party of Indians under 
Doublehead, crossing a peninsula made by the river just above Clarks- 
ville, lay in wait for them at a place now called Seven Mile Ferry, and 

as their boat came round the bend, fired a 
volley into it, which killed John Rice, three 
sons of Colonel Valentine Sevier, and John 
Curtis. Rice appears to have been a young 
man, not only of energy and enterprise, but 
of sound judgment and foresight. When 
North Carolina established the land office 
known as John Armstrong's office, in 1783, 
which opened all the land in this State to 
entry, he obtained a grant for 5,000 acres 
of the best lands on the Chickasaw Bluffs. 
By his will, this grant was bequeathed to 
his brother, Elisha Rice, who, in 1794, sold 
it to John Overton for $500. Overton then 
conveyed a half interest in the same to his friend, Andrew Jackson. 
The devoted and uninterrupted friendship through life of these two 
men is as beautiful as that of Jonathan and David. For politic 
reasons, Jackson sold his entire interest An the property before it was 
developed. On this tract the city of Memphis was laid out in 1819. 

308. John Overtoil. — The founder of Memphis merits more than 
a passing nsention. A native of Virginia, John Overton went to 
Kentucky, after the close of the Revolutionary War, and began the 
practice of law. Removing to Tennessee, he reached Nashville 
during the same month^ that witnessed the arrival of Andrew 
Jackson from North Carolina. Overton recognized from the first 
the greatness of Jackson, and did everything to forward his inter- 
ests. He wrote for the press, used his influence with Legislatures, and 
prepared speeches for their members, drew resolutions and had them 
passed by town meetings — and of all this he never mentioned one word 




John Overton. 



'Judge John M. Lea, Proceedings Tennessee Bar Association, 1891, p. 170. 



Administration of Joseph McMinn, 173 

to Jackson. Overton succeeded Jackson on the Supreme bench of the 
State in 1804, where he made great reputation as a judge, and did the 
State an especial service by preparing and pubHshing two volumes of 
Reports of the Opinions of the Supreme Court — the first reported cases 
in the State. In business aiTairs, Judge Overton was careful, prudent, 
and far-seeing. His earnings were invested in wild lands, which have 
proved a rich heritage to his descendants. He bought the Rice grant 
twenty-five years before the Indian title had been extinguished. But 
he conceived the idea of making it the seat of a great city, and having 
kept that idea patiently, confidently, and persistently before him, after 
many years he saw his most sanguine anticipations surpassed. The 
original plan of the city was laid off by Judge Overton, and the name of 
Memphis was given it by Gen. James Winchester, to whom Jackson had 
conveyed a one-eighth interest in the property. The subsequent devel- 
opment of the city, its triumphs over aspiring rivals, and its present 
secure position as the metropolis of West Tennessee, is due largely to 
the vigilance and wisdom of its founder.*' 

309. Financial Difficulties. — A number of causes combined to 
produce the period of financial distress, after the close of the war of 
1812-15, which culminated in the West during the years 1819 and 1820. 
"Stop laws, property laws, replevin laws, stay laws, loan office laws, the 
intervention of the legislator between the creditor and the debtor — this 
was the business of legislation in three-fourths of the States of the 
Union — of all south and west of. New England."^ Tennessee was not 
exempt from the prevailing conditions. Governor McMinn convened 
the General Assembly in extraordinary session, April 26, 1820, and 
recommended the establishment of a State bank of issue, with a capital 
of $1,000,000, as the leading relief measure of his administration. 

310. The Old Bank of Tennessee. — The first bank incorporated by 
the Legislature of Tennessee was the Nashville Bank, chartered in 1807. 
It was an institution in which the State had no stock, or other direct 
financial interest. 

In 1811, the charter of the first United States Bank expired by 
limitation, and Congress refused to re-charter it. To meet the con- 
traction of the currency it was feared might result from closing out the 
/ United States Bank, the General Assembly established the Bank of the 

" See a Biographical Sketch of Judge Overton, by Judge John M. Lea, in 
the Proceedings of the Tentli Annual Meeting of the Bar Association of Ten- 
nessee, at page 170. 

'' Benton's Thirty Years' View, Vol. I. p. 5. 



174 History of Tennessee. 

State of Tennessee, at Knoxville. This was the first bank in which the 
State was a stockholder. Its interest, however, was small, being only 
$20,000 out of a capital stock of $400,000. 

311. The New Bank of Tennessee. — After the close of the War of 
1812-15, Congress chartered the second United States Bank. This 
institution was so unpopular in Tennessee that, in 1817, the Legislature 
prohibited it from establishing a branch bank in the State. Some pro- 
vision for a currency, however, seemed imperative. The Legislature, 
accordingly, established a State bank, under the name of the Bank of 
the State of Tennessee. The capital of the new Bank of Tennessee 
consisted of $1,000,000 in bills payable to the order of bearer, to be 
emitted on the credit and security of the borrower, and warranted by 
the State. The bills w-ere perfectly good, but the machinery by which 
they were put in circulation was extensive and cumbersome. 



CHAPTER XXV. 

THE ADMINISTRATIONS OF WILLIAM CARROLL, 1821-1827; SAM 

HOUSTON, 1S27-1829, AND WILLIAM HALL, 

APRIL TO OCTOBER, 1829. 

312. William Carroll. — Governor McMinn having served three 
terms, Gen. William Carroll was elected to succeed him. Carroll had 
a feeble opposition in the candidacy of Edward Ward, who received 

^^ only 1 1 ,200 votes out of a total of 

53,446. The new governor, like his 
immediate predecessor, was a native 
of Pennsylvania. He moved to Nash- 
ville in 1810, and opened the first nail 
store in the State. He had been here 
only two years when he entered the 
War of 18 1 2 as General Jackson's 
brigade inspector. In the Creek war 
he displayed able generalship and cool 
courage, and in the battle of New 
Orleans sustained the burden of the 
British assault. He was reelected in 

Gov. William Carroll. o i o -.i , 

1823 and 1825, without opposition. 

313. A Business Administration. — Governor Carroll was a prac- 
tical business man. He was also a man of judgment and enterprise. 





Administrations of Carroi.1., Houston, and HaIvL. 175 





Gov. Sam Houston. 



It was he who put afloat the first steaml)oat that phed the waters of the 
Cumberland. This was the "General Jackson," that steamed into Nash- 
ville in the year 1818. His administration was conducted on sound 
business principles, and with the same judg- 
ment and foresight that characterized the man- 
agement of his own affairs. The people were 
just recovering from the paralyzing effect of the 
financial troubles of 1819-20, and Governor 
Carroll warned them against too great reliance 
upon the relief measures of the government, and 
advised a course of rigid individual economy, 
and an enlarged use of domestic products. In 
the meantime, he caused the finances of the State /'|j 
to be put on a sound footing, by having the 
affairs of the banks thoroughly examined, and 
requiring them to resume specie payments. 

314. Sam Houston. — Governor Carroll was succeeded by Sam 
Houston, who defeated Willie Blount and Newton Cannon by a very 
large majority. A Virginian by liirth, in his youth he removed, with his 
widowed mother, to Tennessee, and settled in Blount County. His 
home was near the country of the Cherokees, wdth whom he mingled 
freely, and became a favorite of Alu-tucky,^ their chief. His restless 
spirit becoming impatient of the prosy life of a clerk in a country store, 
he suddenly disappeared from home, and was received and adopted as 
a son by Alu-tucky. He lived with the Indians about three years. In 
181 3, he volunteered as a private in the Creek war, but was promoted 
to be an ensign before the battle of Tohopeka, in which he exhibited 
such desperate courage as won the admiration of General Jackson. A 
friendship followed, which was active and uninterrupted until Jackson's 
death. He contmued in the army until 1818, when he resigned his 
commission, and took up the study of the law. But the law to him was 
only the door-way to politics. Brave, handsome, eloquent, chivalrous, 
with a decided spice of romance, he was a popular favorite from the 
start. He was district attorney, major general of the militia, and 
twice a member of Congress, in seven years. 

315. Jackson Elected President. — In 1828, Andrew Jackson 
defeated John Qnincy Adams for the Presidency by an overwhelming 



^ The name is so written by Col. Samuel D. ]\Iorgan, in Guild's Old Tim^5 
in Tennessee, p. ^83. 



176 



History of Tennesseje. 




Andrew Jackson. 



majority. Jackson's election meant much to Tennessee andTennesseans. 
In Ills early life, he had made it a principle never to be departed from, if 

he could avoid it, "not to stand between a 
friend and a benefit.'"- The same prin- 
ciple, in the time of his power, made him 
the active dispenser of favors to his 
friends. He built up the strongest per- 
sonal following any man ever had in 
America. 

Among the ablest and most devoted 
of his partisans was Sam Houston, his 
companion in arms, his personal and 
political friend, and the governor of his 
State. Houston was ambitious, and wdth 
Jackson in the White House, there was 
nothing to which he might not aspire. 
He was a man of heroic stature, wdth great vigor and energy. His 
temperament was ardent and romantic, and, like Jackson, he had a 
chivalric devotion to the fair sex. In the spring of 1829, he announced 
his candidacy for reelection to the governorship. His opponent was 
Gen. William Carroll, who had again become eligible. The contest, 
which opened in April, promised to be of the warmest. 

316. Governor Houston's Brilliant Marriage. — There lived at this 
time, in a stately old mansion on the bluffs of the Cumberland River, 
near Gallatin, a beautiful young lady — Miss Eliza Allen — fair as a 
lily, perfect in form and feature, and as dignified and graceful as a 
princess. She was the only daughter of Col. John Allen, an old-fash- 
ioned country gentleman, of considerable wealth, and was at once the 
delight and despair of all the gallants of her circle. Houston became 
a suitor for the hand of Miss Eliza, and he pressed his suit with all the 
ardor and impetuosity of his nature. She yielded, perhaps reluctantly. 
The marriage ceremony was performed at the old mansion, in the 
presence of a brilliant company, January 22, 1829. The festivities were 
then removed to the Capitol, where citizens of every rank vied with 
each other in their attentions to the distinguished couple.^ 



^William Blount to Sevier, American Historical Magazine, Vol. V, p. 122. 

^ The late Thomas Boyer, of- Gallatin, in the Nashville American; Guild's 
Old Times in Tennessee, 262, ct seq.; American Historical Magazine, Vol. IV, 
p. 297, ct scq. 



Administrations of Carroi.Iv, Houston, and Hai.Iv. 177 



317. Governor Houston Resigns, — Notwithstanding- the plaudits 
with which he led his fair bride into society, Governor Houston's 
domestic life w^as not happy. He resented the coldness of his wife, and 
the most unhappy domestic quarrel followed, which resulted in their per- 
manent separation. Only a few days after the opening of his canvass, 
while fully exonerating his wife, he declared himself a ruined man, and 
sent to Gen. William Hall, Speaker of the Senate, his resignation of the 
office of governor of the State of Tennessee. Then, concealing his 
identity, he went directly to his foster-father, Alu-tucky, in the Chero- 
kee country, on the Arkansas River. 

318. General Houston's Subsequent Career. — The subsequent 
career of General Houston was in a new field. After many romantic 
incidents while living with the Cherokee Indians, he drifted to Texas, 
where he became a leader in her gallant struggle for independence. 
Having been made commander in chief of the Texas army, he defeated 
Santa Anna in the decisive battle of San Jacinto, which won him the 
proud title of "Liberator of Texas." The tragic fate of another heroic 
Tennessean* and his comrades furnished him with the inspiring battle- 
cry, "Remember the Alamo." He was the first president of the inde- 
pendent Republic of Texas, and when she was admitted to the Union, 
became one of her first United States Senators. He was elected gov- 
ernor of Texas in 1859, but had his 

office declared vacant when the State 
seceded from the Union in 1861. He 
died in 1863. 

319. Succession of William 
Hall. — Upon the resignation of Gov- 
ernor Houston, Gen. William Hall, 
Speaker of the Senate, succeeded to 
the office. Governor Hall was one of 
the pioneers of Sumner County, a part 
of the country that suffered incredibly 
from the Indian wars during the first 
settlement of the Cumberland Valley. 
As a boy of thirteen, he saw his broth- 
er, who had accompanied him to the 

field for their father's horse, tomahawked and scalped by a party of 
Indians, and he escaped the same fate only by his presence of mind and 




Gov. William Hall. 



* Qol David Crockett, 



1 78 History of Tennessee. 

fleetness of foot in avoiding his pursuers. Three months later, as they 
were removing to the fort for protection, his father and another brother 
fell pierced by Indian bullets. The next year a brother-in-law was killed 
on the way to his mother's house.^ He was a brigadier general in the 
Creek War, and held many honorable civil offices. His administration 
as governor was in the general lines pursued by his predecessors, Carroll 
and Houston. 



CHAPTER XXVI. 
ADMINISTRATION OF WILLIAM CARROLL — 1829-1835- 

320. Leading Measures of Carroll's Administration. — The resig- 
nation and voluntary exile of Governor Houston left General Carroll 
without an opponent for the office, and he was accordingly elected and 
took his seat in October, 1829. He was reelected in 1831, and again in 
1833, both times without opposition. He served the people as governor 
tA\'elve years — the longest time any man has ever held the office of gov- 
ernor in this State. Many important events occurred during this last 
period of his service as governor. A system of public education was 
attempted, old banking institutions were wound up and new ones incor- 
porated, the criminal laws were reformed and a penitentiary established, 
the State's first charitable institution was founded, and the subject of 
internal improvements began to take shape, though little was done in 
that line until after the adoption of the Constitution of 1834. 

321. The Beginning of the State Debt. — The subject of public 
education will be considered in Chapter XLVIII, and that of internal 
improvements in Chapter XLIII. 

After winding up the affairs of the Bank of the State of Tennessee, 
the Legislature chartered a third Bank of Tennessee, in 1831, but this 
charter was repealed the next year, and the Union Bank incorporated. 
The capital stock of the Union Bank was $3,000,000, of which the State 
took $500,000. For the payment of this stock the State issued, in 
January, 1833, five hundred five-per-cent bonds, of the denomination of 
one thousand dollars each. This constituted the first issuance of bonds 

° Indian Battles, Murders, Sieges, and Forays in the Southwest, p. 5. 
This pamphlet is reprinted from Wales & Robert's South-Western Magazine, 
Nashville, 1852. 



Administration of William Carroll. 179 

ever made by the State of Tennessee. One hundred and twenty-five of 
these bonds are still outstanding, and form a part of the bonded debt of 
the State. ^ 

322. The Penitentiary. — As early as the administration of Gov- 
ernor Blount, in 18 13, there was a feeble effort made to raise a fund by 
voluntary subscription for the purpose of building a penitentiary. 
Governor McMinn, in 1819, made an earnest appeal to the Legislature 
to commence such a work, which he declared would do lasting honor to 
its founders. Nothing, however, was done until 1829, when the 
repeated recommendations of Governor Carroll resulted in the passage 
of the act under which the first penitentiary was built. At the same 
session another act was passed, abolishing such barbarous means of 
punishment as the whipping-post, stocks, pillory, and branding-irons, 
and making all felonies under the grade of murder in the first degree 
punishable by imprisonment at hard labor in the "Jail and Penitentiary 
House. "^ 

The ground selected for the site of the penitentiary consisted of 
some ten acres, situated about a mile west of the public square in Nash- 
ville. Contracts for the buildings were let in April, 1830, and the work 
pushed rapidly to completion. The entire cost of the building was 
about $50,000, and it was opened for the reception of prisoners, January 
I, 1 83 1. The State managed the prison by its own officers up to the 
Civil War. 

323. The First Asylum for the Insane. — In 1832, the Legislature 
passed an act for the establishment of a lunatic hospital, which was 
located on a small tract of land about a mile from Nashville. The work 
dragged, and the buildings were not ready for the reception of patients 
until 1840. This was the first charitable institution established and 
maintained by the State. It was soon found both inadequate and 
unsuitable for the proper accommodation of the insane of the State. In 
1847, under the inspiration of that earnest philanthropist, Dorothy L. 
Dix, it was decided that the old buildings and grounds should be dis- 
posed of, and a new site selected. Accordingly, the commissioners 
bought a farm about six miles out from Nashville, on the Murfreesboro 
Pike, on which the Central Asylum for the Insane was erected. It was 

^Letter of Gov. James D. Porter to W. F. Harrington, Esq. A history of 
the State Debt — how it was created — its present status — how it may be met. 
Nashville, 1878. 

^Act of 1829, Chapter XXIII. The Act providing for the building of a 
penitentiary is Chapter V, of the Acts of 1829. 



i8o History of Tennessb;b. 

built after the most approved model of the day. The patients were 
removed from the old hospital in April, 1852. Since then, the State 
has erected two other insane asylums, at a cost of about $300,000 each — 
the East Tennessee Insane Asylum, at Lyon's View, about four miles 
from Knoxville, and the West Tennessee Insane Asylum, between three 
and four miles northwest of Bolivar. 

324. Constitutional Convention of 1834. — The administration of 
Governor Carroll points continually and unmistakably to the dawn of a 
new order of things in the State. The old frontier civilization, with its 
simple and inartificial conditions, was passing away with the pioneers 
who made it. Tennessee was growing great. She had become the 
center and dominant element in American politics. The change in her 
economic condition was hardly less marked. Her for- 
ests had been turned into fields. In 1840, she was the 
first State in the Union in the production both of corn 
and hogs. Alanufacture and commerce were beginning 
to flourish. Wealth was being accumulated, and with 
it, ambitious schemes of private enterprise and public / 
improvement were projected. The State felt that she 
had outgrown the Constitution of 1796. Accordingly, 
a new convention was called, which met in 1834. 
William Blount Carter, a son of Gen. Landon Carter, 
Secretary of the first Constitutional Convention of the 
State of Franklin, and delegate from Washington 
County in the Convention of 1796, was chosen President 
of the Convention. The body contained a large number 
of strong men, such, for instance, as the McKinneys, 
Blount, Alexander, Huntsman, Cannon, Fogg, McClel- 
lan, Senter, Cabal, Marr, and Humphreys. They 
w. B. Carter. framed an instrument better suited to a more artificial 
and complex civilization. The new Constitution was submitted to the 
people and ratified by a vote of 42,666 against 17,691, at an election held 
on the 5th and 6th of March, 1835. An examination of the Constitution 
of 1870, printed in the Appendix, will show how closely it follows that 
of 1834. 




i 



Topical Analysis. i8i 

TOPICAIv ANALYSIS OF DIVISION I. 
TENNESSEE UNDER THE CONSTITUTION OF 1796. 

I. Organizing the State. — 

1. John Sevier Governor, (a) Au East Tennesseau. (h) Not in Touch with Middle 

Tennessee. 

2. State put in accord with the Federal Government, (a) Andrew Jackson Elected to 

Congress. 

3. Public Questions, (a) Indian Boundary, (i^) Public Lands, (c) The Militia. 

II Sevier- Jackson Quarrel.— 

1. Land Speculation i?i the West. 

2. Jackson Charges Sevier with Fraud in Procuring Land Titles, (a) In the Sevier- 

Jackson Race for Major-General. (b) In the Sevier-Roane Race for Gov- 
ernor. 

3. Legislative Investigations — Personal P encounters. 

III. Controversy as to the Public Lands. — 

1. Sources of Land Titles, (a) Private Purchases from the Indians, {h) Entries in 
the County Land Offices, (c) Entries in John Armstrong's Office, (rf) Pre- 
emptions. 

Z. Southwest Territory, (a) North Carolina Cedes Her Western Lands to the United 
States, {b) Absence of Legislation on the Subject of Public Lands. 

3. The Compact of 1806. (a) Land Offices Closed from 1784 to 1S06. (1^) Agreement 
with North Carolina, (c) Ratified by the United States. (</) Agreement 
with the United States. 

IV. Religious Development. — 

1. Churches Organised, (a) Presbyterians, (b) Baptists, (c) Methodists. 

2. 772^ Great Revival— iSoo. (a) James McGready. (*) The McGee Brothers, (c) 

First Camp-Meeting, {d) The Jerks. 

3. Cumberland Presbyterian Church — 1810. (a) Offspring of the Great Revival, {b) 

Organized in Dickson County, Tennessee. 

V. ■Willie Blount Governor — "War ol 1812-1815.— 

1. Campaign of 1812. 

2. Creek War — 181^-1814. (a) Tecumseh and Weatherford. {b) Massacre of Fort 

Mims. (c) Jackson again in the Field, (rf) Decisive Battle of Tohopeka. 
(«) Wcatherford's Speech. 

3. New Orleans Campaign — 1814, 1815. (a) Jackson Goes to New Orleans, (b) Battle 

of January 8. 

VI. Joaepti McMlnn Governor. — 

1. Seminole War — iSiy. 

2. Settlement of West Tennessee — i8j8. (a) Open for Entry, (b) Indian Title Extin- 

guished, (c) Open for Settlement, (d) First Settlement, (e) Memphis. 
(/) John Overton. 

3. Financial Difficulties — iSig, 1820. (a) First Bank in the State, {b) New Bank of 

Tennessee Established. 

VII. Carroll, Houston, and Hall.— 

1. William CarrolVsa Business Administration. 

2. Sam Houston, (a) Early Life, (b) Elected Governor, (c) Brilliant Marriage. 

(d) Separates from His Wife and Resigns his Office. (1?) Subsequent Career. 

3. William Hall a Pioneer. 

VUt Dawn ol a New Era.— 

1. Penitentiary Established — iSzg. {a) Abolition of Whipping-Post, Stocks, Pillory 

and Branding-Irons. 

2. First Charitable Institution — 18:^2. 

3. First Bonds Issued — 1833. 

4. New Constitution — 1834. 



i82 History of Tennessbe. 



DIVISION II. 



TENNESSEE UNDER THE CONSTITUTION OF 1834. 



CHAPTER XXVII. 

RISE OF THE WHIG PARTY — ADMINISTRATION OF NEWTON 

CANNON, 1835-1839- 

325. President Jackson's Choice of a Successor. — With the adop- 
tion of the Constitution of 1834, Tennessee entered upon a new and 
distinct epoch in her history. Hitherto there had been no considerable 
division in the State upon questions of national politics. There had 
been notable contests; such, for instance, as the celebrated race for 
Congress in the Nashville district in 1827, when John Bell, a young man 
of giant intellect, but of little experience in public affairs, was elected 
over the veteran orator and statesman, Felix Grundy, then in the zenith 
of his power and reputation, although the latter had the cordial and 
active support of General Jackson. But such contests were generally 
determined on personal considerations. There was but one political 
party in the State — that now known as the Democratic party, of which 
Andrew Jackson had long been the masterful leader. Jackson was 
about to retire from the Presidency. He felt himself under a weight 
of obligation to Martin Van Buren, of New York, whom he desired 
should succeed him as President. His wish was well understood, and 
proved to be a fatal blunder, so far as the success of his party in Ten- 
nessee was concerned. 

326. David Crockett Opposes Jackson. — When President Jackson 
ordered his Secretary of the Treasury to remove the government 
deposits from the United States Bank, he added, 'T take the responsi- 
bility." This saying became famous because it expressed a sublime 
moral courage. In the same line, and hardly less celebrated, is the 
motto of Col. David Crockett, "Be sure you are right, and then go 
ahead." Crockett was the most amiable, but at the same time the most 
independent and courageous of men. Born and reared in East Ten- 



Administration of Newton Cannon. 



183 




Col. David Crockett. 



nessee, he spent his early manhood in the middle portion of the State, 
and finally moved to West Tennessee, which became the scene of his 
remarkable bear hvmts and inimitable electioneering- campaigns. The 
sum total of his schooling 
amounted to four days. But 
he early manifested a heroic 
spirit. He worked a whole 
year for no other wages than 
a clear receipt against a small 
debt his father owed his em- 
ployer, in order that he might 
have the pleasure of seeing 
the joyous surprise and grati- 
tude of his father when he 
presented it to him at the end 
of the year. He was never 
able to follow the leadership 
of General Jackson. In 1827 
he entered Congress as a Republican, but his hostility to Jackson soon 
landed him in the ranks of the opposition. He was defeated for reelec- 
tion in 183 1, but was again elected in 1833. During this term he made 
his "Tour to the North and Down East," an account of which he pub- 
lished. He also wrote a "Life of Martin Van Buren, Heir Apparent to 
the Government and the Appointed Successor of General Andrew 
Jackson." These books were widely read for their quaint humor, and 
were effective Whig campaign literature. Defeated for Congress again 
in 1835, he went West to join in the Texas war of independence, and 
thrilled the country by his heroic death at the Alamo. He was one of 
the Tennessee Congressmen who, in December, 1834, called on Judge 
Hugh Lawson White to become a candidate for President. 

327. White Enters the Race for President. — Next to Jackson 
only, whose personal and political friend he had hitherto been, Hugh 
Lawson White was the most popular man in Tennessee. He was a 
son of the founder of Knoxville, and grew up in time to participate in 
the last of John Sevier's famous Indian campaigns. In the Creek war 
he rendered most valuable aid to General Jackson. Before he entered 
the field of national politics, he had served as a member of the State 
Senate, had distinguished himself as a Judge of the Supreme Court of 
the State, and had shown much ability as a financier by his successful 
management of the first Bank of Tennessee. When Jackson retired 




Hugh I,. White. 



184 History of Tennessee;. 

from the United States Senate, in 1825, White was unanimously elected 
to succeed him. He was continued in the Senate until 1840, when he 

resigned, because he could not conscien- 
tiously obey the instructions of the 
Legislature to support the leading meas- 
ures of Van Buren's administration. In 
1832, he was made president pro tent. 
of the Senate — a position that has been 
held by only two other Tennesseans : 
Joseph Anderson and Isham G. Harris. 
White was in perfect sympathy with the 
principles of Jackson's administration, 
and continued so until his death. But 
he stoutly refused to sanction his pur- 
pose to make Van Buren his successor. 
He was, himself, mentioned as a candi- 
date. Jackson undertook to placate 
him, first by the tender of a cabinet position, afterwards by the offer of 
a position on the bench of the Supreme Court of the United States, and 
finally, by the suggestion that he accept the place of Vice-President on 
the ticket with Van Buren. All these overtures were firmly declined. 
White was then informed that Jackson had threatened to denounce him 
as soon as it was ascertained that he was willing to be a candidate in 
opposition to Van Buren.^ Being both obstinate and pugnacious. 
White now became an avowed and active candidate. 

328. O'ohn Bell Directs the White Campaign. — John Bell referred 
not inaptly to the followers of Judge White as the "undisciplined militia 
of the party." The responsibility of outlining a plan of action so as to 
secure something like unity of purpose in this mass of raw material 
devolved largely upon him. Whatever may have been his defects as a 
party leader, he could plan a canvass and state its issues with consum- 
mate skill. He was a native Tennessean, and a graduate of Cumberland 
College (University of Nashville). Soon after his admission to the 
bar he had a taste of public life, as a member of the State Senate, but 
he wisely declined a reelection, and devoted the next ten years to the 
practice of his profession and the pursuit of literature. In 1827, he 
entered Congress, superbly equipped for his public duties. He was a 
inember of the House of Representatives until 1839. In 1834, he was 



' Memoirs of Hugh Lawson White, by Nancy N. Scott, pp. 253, 254, and 359. 



Administration of Nkwton Cannon. 



185 





John Bell 



elected Speaker of that body, but was defeated for reelection in 1835 
by James K. Polk. Subsequently, he was Secretary of War in Harri- 
son's Cabinet. Fromi847 to 1857, 
he was a member of the United 
States Senate, and served with such 
distinguished ability that he was 
nominated by the Constitutional 
Union party for President in i860. 
A man of profound intellect, he 
was far-seeing, deliberate, and cau- 
tious. His mental constitution 
was such that he could never enter 
heartily into the bold, aggressive, 
and apparently reckless methods 
that distinguished the Jackson 
party, though he supported the 
leading measures of Jackson's administration with perfect consistency. 

329. Leaders of the Democracy. — The Tennessee election in 
August, 1835, received national attention on account of its supposed 
influence on the Presidential election in 1836. Interest was intense 
from the beginning, and the contest determined and bitter. It was at 
this time that the followers of Judge White began to be called Whigs — 
White Whigs — though White never accepted the name for himself. 
The leaders of the Democracy were among the ablest men of the 
nation. James K. Polk was afterwards Presi- 
dent of the United States. Felix Grundy, a 
famous orator and the most successful crim- 
•'^ V' inal lawyer in the Southwest, knew every 

chord that touched the popular heart. When 
troul)le was brewing with England in 181 1, he 
was elected to Congress as a war Republican. 
He made himself conspicuous for his bold and 
efficient support of the war measures. It 
was the successful prosecution of this war, 
against their opposition, that broke down the 
Federalist party. The Federalists paid a high 
tribute to Grundy's influence, by ascribing the 
war to the instigations of "Madison, Grundy, 
and the Devil." At this time, Grundy was in the United States Senate, 
but upon the election of Van Buren, he accepted the place of Attorney 



.^"^ ..^ 





Felix Grundy, 



History of ^Tennessee. 




John Catron. 



General in his cabinet. Quite as active and hardly less efficient than 
Polk and Grundy was John Catron, a man who stood very close to 
President Jackson. He was reared in the Mountain District of Middle 

Tennessee, and raised himself to the head 
of his profession by the force of his own 
talents and energy. He made much repu- 
tation by a series of articles published in 
aid of President Jackson's fight against the 
United States Bank. At the time of the 
White revolt, he was Chief Justice of the 
Supreme Court of Tennessee, being the 
first and only Chief Justice of that Court 
prior to the Civil War. From 1837 to his 
death, in 1865, he was one of the Judges of 
the Supreme Court of the United States, 
by appointment of President Jackson. 
Cave Johnson served on the staff of his father, General Thomas 
Johnson, in the Creek War. He was first elected to Congress in 1829, 
and, with the exception of one term, continued there until 1845, when 
he became Postmaster General in President Polk's Cabinet. After his 
retirement from the cabinet, he became president of the last Bank of 
Tennessee, which he managed with ability and success. 

330. Newton Cannon Elected Governor. — Carroll had again 
served three consecutive terms — six years — as governor, but the 
people, having adopted a new Constitution in the meantime, he offered 
himself for a fourth term. He adhered, as he had always done, to the 
party of General Jackson, but, as it boded no 
good to him, he deprecated the introduction of 
national politics in State elections. His oppo- 
nent was Newton Cannon, whom Houston had 
defeated for the same office in 1827. Cannon 
had served in the Creek War, but was criticised 
for returning home before its conclusion. In 
1 814, he was elected to succeed Felix Grundy in 
Congress, and continued in Congress, widi the 
intermission of a single term, until his voluntary 
retirement, in 1825. He had never been in rap- 
port with the Jackson party, and now appeared 
as the avowed champion of Judge White. The current of public senti- 
ment in favor of Judge White was too strong to be stemmed even by 




Cave Johnson. 



Administrations of Polk and Jonks. 



187 



Carroll, and Cannon was elected by a plurality of more than 11,000 
votes. 

331. Cannon Reelected. — In 1836. there was a call for volunteers 
to serve in the Florida War. The quota 
for Tennessee was 2,000. More than 
double that number offered. The East 
Tennesseans were commanded by Gen. 
R. G. Dunlap, and those from Middle 
Tennessee by Gen. Robert Armstrong. 
The last battle in which the Tennessee 
soldiers were engaged, was fought on 
November 18-21, at Wahoo Swamp, soon 
after which they were ordered home and 
discharged, though the war dragged on 
until 1842 before it was finally concluded. 
In 1837, General Armstrong, with his 
military laurels fresh upon him, became 
a candidate for governor in opposition to Cannon, but the tide had not 
yet turned, and Cannon Avas again elected by an increased majority. 

The absorbing public question during Cannon's two terms was that 
of internal improvements, which is treated in Chapter XLIII. 




Gov. Newton Cannon. 



CHAPTER XXVIII. 

ADMINISTRATIONS OF JAMES K. POLK, 1839-1841, AND JAMES C. 

JONES, JS41-1845. 



332. Preparation for the Canvass of 1839. — At the Presidential 
election in 1836, White carried Tennessee by a majority of nearly 10,000 
over all the other candidates. This result was most painful to President 
Jackson, who. in the last three Presidential elections had received prac- 
tically the vmanimous vote of the State. He believed the people had 
been estranged from him by partisan management. The Democrats 
determined to make a supreme effort to recover the State in 1839. The 
leading newspapers of the State had gone off with the White movement. 
To overcome this disadvantage, they invited two young New Englanders 
to Tennessee, who became famous political editors — Jeremiah George 
Harris and E. G. Eastman. Harris had been brought up in the jour- 
nalistic school of George D. Prentice, though of opposite political 



History op Tennessee. 




Gov. James K. Polk. 



principles. The Nashville Union, hitherto a smaU weekly paper, was 
newly fitted out as a tri-weekly, and he was made its editor. He was 

a tower of strength to the Democracy 
of Tennessee. Eastman established 
the Knoxville Argus, the publication 
of which was, perhaps, the most bril- 
liant part of his editorial career, 
though he was afterwards distin- 
guished, as the editor both of the 
Nashville Union and Union and 
American. 

The most influential of the many 
able Whig papers were Allan A. 
Hall's Republican Banner, of Nash- 
ville, and Parson Brownlow's JVliig, 
published successively at Jonesboro, 
Elizabethton, and Knoxville. 

333. The Candidates Take the 
Field. — Governor Cannon ofi^ered for reelection and was accepted as 
the Whig candidate. The Democrats desired to put their strongest 
man forward to oppose him. The choice fell on James K. Polk, then 
serving his second term as Speaker of the national House of Represent- 
atives. Polk was a man of boundless energy, and as soon as Congress 
adjourned he entered the canvass, and for the first time the candidates 
for governor stumped the State "from Carter to Shelby." 

334. Polk and Cannon on the Stump. — In 1835, General Carroll 
had deprecated the introduction of national questions in a State contest. 
Polk, on the contrary, opened his campaign with a clear and masterly 
discussion of national issues, in an address to the people, which has been 
pronounced the ablest political document which appeared in the State 
before the Civil War.^ Cannon was not a popular speaker. Moreover, 
he committed the fatal blunder of hesitating to declare his choice 
between Van Buren and Clay for President. Polk was handsome and 
attractive in person. He had coal-black hair, rather dark complexion, 
and steel-grey eyes. Taken as a whole, his face was clear-cut, flexible, 
and expressive. His style of oratory was singularly attractive. 
Usually grave and dignified, he was ready at repartee, quick to detect a 
weakness in the position of his adversary, full of humorous anecdotes 



^ Phelan's History of Tennessee, p. 381. 



Administrations op Polk and Jones. 189 

and striking illustrations, and possessed a power of ridicule rarely 
equalled. "There was something in his manner and delivery that sug- 
gested the idea of labor, effort, power — of a giant defendiu.:; h mself 
against the onslaught of a thousand assailants, deliberate yet vehement, 
and he won the sympathy of his auditors by the gallantry and strength 
with which he downed every foeman with whom he grappled."" He 
was the greatest stump speaker the State has ever produced, unless 
Isham G. Harris be an exception. Cannon could not meet him on the 
stump, and felt it so keenly that he would have permanently abandoned 
the joint discussion but for the remonstrance of his political friends. 
Polk was elected by a majority of 3,000, and the Democrats secured a 
majority in both branches of the State Legislature. 

335. The Presidential Contest in 1840. — As soon as the result of 
the gubernatorial election had been ascertained, preparation began for 
the presidential contest of 1840. It was thought that the splendid 
achievement of Governor Polk would make him the Democratic candi- 
date for Vice-President on the ticket with President Van Buren. But 
the National Democratic Convention, over which Gen. William Carroll, 
of Tennessee, presided, failed to nominate a candidate for Vice- 
President. 

The National Whig Convention, at Harrisburg, nominated Harri- 
son and Tyler. This involved the Whigs of Tennessee in the incon- 
sistent position of supporting a candidate who was not their choice 
because he was nominated by a national convention in which they had 
declined to participate. That, too, in the face of the fact that, four 
years before, they had objected to Van Buren because he was nominated 
by a convention. Nevertheless, they submitted and entered with a will 
into a campaign of conventions, catchwords, and emblems, the most 
brilliant and spectacular, as well as the most stubborn and determined, 
that ever occurred in the State. It was in this campaign that the Whig 
leaders established, and Allan A. Hall edited. The Spirit of 'yd, the first 
campaign paper published west of the Alleghany Mountains. Jeremiah 
George Harris promptly followed it with a Democratic campaign paper 
called the Advance Guard of Democracy. Harrison and Tyler carried 
the State by a rousing majority. 

336. Continuation of the Political Contest in 1841. — The struggle 
for supremacy between the Whigs and Democrats of Tennessee from 

"Judge N. Baxter, in The Christian Home and Common Sense Farmer^ 
Livingston, Tenn.. July 15, 1891. 



igo 



History of Tennbsseie. 




1834 to 1844 was really but one continuous contest. The smoke of one 
hard-fought battle had hardly cleared away before the stout-hearted 
leaders of either party were organizing their hosts for the next. As 
soon as the returns of the Whig victory of 1840 had been received, Dr. 
Felix Robertson, Chairman of the Democratic Central Committee, came 
forward with a new plan of campaign for the following year. Polk 
was a candidate for reelection. None of the old Whig leaders seemed 
willing to meet him on the stump. In their desperation, the Whigs 
nominated James C. Jones, a man of yesterday "unknown to fame." 

337. The Canvass between Polk and Jones. — The canvass between 
Polk and Jones in 1841, repeated with litUe variation in 1843, was the 
most unique, and is the most celebrated, that has occurred in the annals 

of Tennessee. Jones was reared 
on a farm, and his political expe- 
rience did not extend beyond a single 
term in the lower house of the Gen- 
eral Assembly, which he served in 
1839. B^^t in the following year he 
canvassed his district as a Harrison 
elector. It was this canvass that 
pointed him out as the man to meet 
Governor Polk on the stump. His 
knowledge of political questions, as 
well as his general historical infor- 
mation, was limited in extent, as well 
as newly and imperfectly acquired. 
But he had an unmatched power of 
burlesque, and could produce the wildest hilarity, not more by what he 
said than by his manner of saying it. They called him "Lean Jimmy." 
He was more than six feet tall, spare and ungainly. His nose was 
large, and his small gray eyes were overhung with heavy eyebrows. 
His mouth was one of remarkable proportions, and his expression pro- 
foundly grave and solemn. The very sight of him made "the ground- 
lings howl." After a masterly discussion of the pending issues by 
Governor Polk, Jones could raise his grotesque figure, fish from his 
pocket a skin of the old Whig coon, gently stroke it with his hand, and 
electrify the crowd by simply asking, "Did you ever see such fine fur?"'"* 
But to an intelligent and cultivated audience, his speeches compared to 




Gov. James C. Jones. 



Guild's Old Times in Tennessee, p. 159. 



Administrations of Polk and Jones. 191 

Polk's like the cheap tinsel of an actress' stage costume to the royal 
robes of the legitimate queen.* Jones was elected, and reelected in 1843. 
He was the first native Tennessean elected governor. 

338. The "Immortal Thirteen." — While Jones carried the State by 
a comfortable majority in 1841, the Legislature was almost evenly 
divided between the Whigs and Democrats. The Whigs claimed a 
majority of one on joint ballot, but the Senate had thirteen Democrats 
against twelve Whigs. These thirteen Democratic members of the 
Senate — the "Immortal Thirteen," as they were called — lead by 
Andrew Johnson and Sanuiel H. Laughlin, steadfastly refused to meet 
with the House for the purpose of electing United States Senators, 
whereby they prevented the election of two United States Senators, and 
Tennessee went without representation in the Senate from 1841 to 1843. 

339. School for the Blind. — When the county seat of Overton 
County was removed from Monroe to Livingston, in 1834, Thomas 
Champlin, a merchant from East Tennessee, settled in the new town. 
Champlin had ten children, five of whom were born blind. James, one 
of the unfortunates, was born at Blain's Cross Roads, March 24, 1821. 
At nine years of age, by imitating his brothers in their exercises, he 
learned his letters by heart, and could spell many of the words in their 
books. When about sixteen years old, he entered the village school, 
where he made such surprising progress that he was afterwards sent 
to a boarding school taught by Dr. Isaac T. Reneau. Up to this time, 
he did not know that there was a system by which the blind could learn 
to read. In 1838, he heard read "Colonel Crockett's Tour to the North 
and Down East," in which the author gives an account of the Massa- 
chusetts Asylum for the Education of the Blind. It was a revelation to 
him. He went to Massachusetts for the purpose of entering the Boston 
Institute for the Blind, but was unable to do so for want of means to pay 
the fees required. However, the superintendent furnished him some 
raised-print books, and after his return home he soon learned to read with- 
out a teacher. He entered the Ohio Asylum for the Blind, in 1842, 
where he first discovered how marvelous a work these institutions were 
able to do for the blind. ^ 

On his return from Columl)us. he went to Nashville, and finding 
several blind children, got them together and commenced teaching them 

* Judge N. Baxter, in The Christian Home and Common Sense Farmer. 
^ Early Biography, Travels and Adventures of Rev. James Champlin, who 
was Born Blind. Written by Himself. Columbus, 1842. 



192 History of Tennessee. 

to read by touch. He gave an exhibition in one of the Nashville 
churches, of the method of reading with the fingers, for the purpose 
of enlisting interest in his work. Afterwards an exhibition given before 
the Legislature caused that body to adopt his school as a State institu- 
tion, and make an appropriation for its support, January 29, 1844.*' The 
Tennessee School for the Blind has become a great institution. In 
1898, it had a total of 150 pupils, 128 of whom were white and 22 
colored. Every graduate of the school has contributed to his own sup- 
port as a respectable member of society. Some of them have been 
eminent for their success. F. J. Campbell, LL.D., a native of Ten- 
nessee, and one of the pupils who entered the Blind School in 1844, is 
now the foremost blind man in the world, and is Superintendent of the 
Royal Normal College and Academy for the Blind, Upper Norwood, 
London, England, the best and most successful school for the blind in 
existence.'^ 

340. Deaf and Dumb School. — A twin charity with the School for 
the Blind, at Nashville, was the Tennessee Deaf and Dumb School, at 
Knoxville. It owes its origin to Gen. John Cocke, then a member of 
the State Senate, on whose motion the bill establishing the Blind School 
was amended by making an appropriation for the establishment of the 
Deaf and Dumb School. 

34L Permanent Seat of Government. — The Constitution of 1796 
made Knoxville the seat of government until 1802. After that date, 
the Legislature met either at Knoxville, Nashville, or Murfreesboro. 
Once it met at Kingston, but immediately adjourned over to Knoxville. 
The Constitution of 1834 required the Legislature that should meet in 
1843 ^o designate and fix the seat of government within the first week 
of its session. Accordingly, the Legislature that convened in October, 
1843, rnade Nashville the permanent seat of government, and appro- 
priated $10,000 to begin building the State Capitol. William Strick- 
land, who had designed some of the mose imposing buildings in 
Philadelphia, such, for instance, as the Mint and the United States 
Bank, was employed as architect of the building. Having died as the 
work neared its completion, by a vote of the Legislature, his remains 
were entombed in the wall of the north basement portico, where they 

° History and Prospectus, Tennessee School for the Bhnd, by J. V. Arm- 
strong, Superintendent, pp. 44 and 45. This is an interesting and very valuable 
work. 

^ Ibid., pp. 75 and 76. <■ 



Brown, Brown, Trousdals, and Campbell. 193 

now repose. The corner-stone of the Capitol was laid, with imposing 
ceremonies, on the 4th of July, 1845, ^^^ ^^^ ^^^^ stone placed in the 
lower terrace, March 19, 1859. The Legislature first met in the Capitol 
in 1853. The entire cost of the building and grounds aggregates about 
$1,000,000. 



CHAPTER XXIX. 

ADMINISTRATIONS OF AARON V. BROWN, 1845-1S47 ; NEILL S. 

BROWN, 1847-1849; WILLIAM TROUSDALE, 1849-1S51, 

AND WILLIAM B. CAMPBELL, 1851-1S53. 

342. James K. Polk Elected President. — The cause of Texas inde- 
pendence and, afterwards, of the annexation of Texas to the United 
States, were earnestly favored by the people of the Southwest, and 
especially by those of Tennessee. Tennessee had given many of her 
noblest sons to Texas. David Crockett and Sam Houston were the 
greatest heroes of the Texas revolution. 

As the Presidential election of 1844 approached, James K. Polk 
declared that "the present opportunity should not be lost of becoming 
reunited with a country from whom we should never have been sep- 
arated." It was understood, however, that Martin Van Buren would 
again be the Democratic candidate. The Democratic papers had his 
name at their mast-heads, and candidates for elector were being ap- 
pointed to champion his cause. Just before the meeting of the Demo- 
cratic convention, a letter from Van Buren was made public, in which 
he declared his opposition to the annexation of Texas. This produced 
great excitement, not only in Tennessee, but throughout the Southwest. 
Following the lead of Jo. C. Guild, Democratic candidate for elector in 
the Hermitage district, the Democrats of Tennessee declared they 
would not support Van Buren under any circumstances.^ 

When the convention met, it nominated James K. Polk, a result 
that gave great satisfaction to the friends of Texas annexation. 
George M. Dallas, of Pennsylvania, was named for Vice-President. 
The battle-cry of the Democracy was "Polk, Dallas, and Texas." The 
Whigs nominated Henry Clay, and opposed the annexation of Texas. 
After a hard-fought campaign, Polk was elected, but he failed to carry 

' Guild's Old Times in Tennessee, pp. 109 and 170. 



194 



History op Tennessee. 






Gov. Aaron V. Brown. 



Tennessee. This is the only instance in which a President has been 
elected without receiving the vote of his own State. Still, Polk is 

entitled to the credit of having reduced 
the Whig majority in Tennessee from 
12,102, in 1840, to 113, in 1844. 

343. Aaron V. Brown Elected Gov- 
ernor. — The gubernatorial contest in 
1845 ^"^^s between Aaron V. Brown, 
Democrat, and Ephraim H. Foster, 
Whig. Brown was a graduate of the 
University of North Carolina, and 
Foster of Cumberland College (Uni- 
versity of Nashville). Brown lived at 
Pulaski, and for a time was a law part- 
ner of James K. Polk, whose home was 
in an adjoining county. He displayed 
the same party zeal and fealty, and maintained the same political con- 
sistency that characterized Polk. He had been a member of Congress 
since 1839, ^'^^ ^^'^^ won more than local distinction. He was careful 
of his reputation, and many of his more important speeches and 
addresses were reduced to writing and afterwards published. 

Foster was eloquent, fiery, and impulsive. When the late Judge 
Guild went to Nashville to study law, he was directed to the office of 
William L. Brown, but "sauntering" into the court room, as he relates, 
he had the privilege of witnessing one of Foster's splendid outbursts of 
passion, in which he threw a book at the presiding judge with such 
"gallant and noble bearing" that Guild instantly determined to read law 
in his office.- He had not always been consistent in his politics, but 
he held the confidence of his party, which had twice elected him to the 
United States Senate. Brown had the advantage in making an ag- 
gressive canvass on the clear-cut and definite policies of Polk's adminis- 
tration. His "Mount Pisgah" speech became famous. "Go up with 
me in imagination," he said, "and stand for a while on some lofty summit 
of the Rocky Mountains. Let us take one ravishing view of this broad 
land of liberty. Turn your face toward the Gulf of Mexico; what do 
you behold ? Instead of one lone star faintly shining in the far-distant 
South, a whole galaxy of stars of the first magnitude are bursting on 
your vision, and shining with a bright and glorious effulgence. Now 



Guild's Okl Times in Tennessee, p. 71. 





Brown, Brown, Trousdale, and Campbell. [95 

turn with me to the West — the mighty West — where the setting sun clips 
her broad disk in the western ocean. Look down through the misty dis- 
tance to the shores of the Pacific, with 
all its bays and harbors and rivers. 
Cast your eyes as far as the Russian 
possessions, in latitude 54 degrees and 40 
minutes. What a new world lies before 
you ! How many magnificent States 
to be the future homes of the sons and 

daughters of freedom ! 

When did mental vision ever rest on 
such a scene? Moses, when standing 
on the top of Mount Pisgah, looking 

over on the promised land, gazed not 

'■ " Ephraim H. Foster. 

on a scene half so lovely. O let us 

this day vow that whatever else we may do, by whatever name we may 
be called, we will never surrender one square acre of this goodly heritage 
to the dictation of any king or potentate on earth. Swear it ! Swear 
it, ni}^ countrymen, and let heaven record the vow forever."^ The 
allusion, of course, was to Texas, in the South, threatened by the Mex- 
icans, and in the West, to Oregon, claimed by the English to the Colum- 
bia River, but which the Democrats declared they would hold as far 
north as latitude "Fifty-four — forty, or fight." Foster could not stem 
the tide of patriotism aroused. Brown was elected by a majority of 
1,623 votes. 

344. President Polk's Diary. — The last work ever undertaken by 
the great historian, George Bancroft, was the preparation of a history 
of President Polk's administration. In 1887, he visited the venerable 
widow ©f President Polk, at her home in Nashville, who gave him access 
to the Polk papers, with permission to use them as he might think fit. 
But he died before the labor of composition had been seriously begun. 
Still, he prepared and arranged a mass of materials, out of which, he 
writes, President Polk's character shines, "just exactly as the man was 
— prudent, far-sighted, bold, exceeding any Democrat of his day in 
his undeviatingly correct exposition of Democratic principles." 

Among other materials left by Bancroft is a copy of the diary kept 
by President Polk during almost the whole of his administration, con- 
sisting of twenty-four volumes, averaging about one hundred large 

^ Speeches, Etc., of Aaron V. Brown, pp. 202 and 203. 



196 History of Tennessee. 

octavo typewritten pages. This diary attests the methodical industry 
of the President, but more important than that, it gives the inside history 
of his administration. It bears witness to his strong sagacity, his in- 
domitable will, and his clear comprehension of the ways and means of 
effecting the purposes of his administration. And it proves that he 
was the framer and persistent leader in the public policy he pursued 
with such uniform and complete success.* 

345. Achievements of President Polk's Administration. — Presi- 
dent Polk undertook and accomplished four leading measures : ( i ) The 
reenactment of the sub-treasury or independent treasury system on an 
enduring basis; (2) the passage of a low tariff on the basis of non- 
protection and liberal trade; (3) the settlement of the dispute with 
Great Britain concerning the northern boundary of Oregon; (4) the 
annexation of Texas, which involved the successful termination of the 
Mexican War and the acquisition of California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, 
and New Mexico, and parts of Colorado and Wyoming.^ "On quitting 
the Presidential office he left nothing unfinished ; what he commenced, 
he did."® When elected, he was the youngest man who had ever occu- 
pied the Presidential chair. He was springy, active, and energetic in 
all his movements. On his return home four years later, his coal-black 
hair had become perfectly white. It did not change to a silver gray, 
but to a milk-white. His face wore a senatorial gravity more sedate 
than on his departure, and he looked care-worn and tired.'^ He died 
three months later, on the 15th of June, 1849. 

346. The Mexican "War. — The annexation of Texas resulted in 
war wath Mexico. Upon the requisition of the War Department, on 
the 26th of May, 1847, Governor Brown called for three regiments of 
volunteers, numbering in all 2,800 men. In answer to his call, 30,000 
volunteers promptly tendered their services. So eager were all for 
service that it became necessary to adopt some mode of selection. Ac- 
cordingly, the governor directed the four Major Generals of the State to 
decide by ballot, according to rules laid down, the companies to be 

* See an interesting and valuable article on President Polk's Diary, by James 
Shouler, in The Atlantic Monthly, for Atigust, 1895, p. 235. 

° See President Polk's Administration, by James Shouler, in The Atlantic 
Monthly, for September, 1895, p. 371. 

* Eulogy on the Life and Character of the late President James K. Polk, by 
George M. Dallas, p. 25. 

'Judge N. Baxter, in Tlie Christian Home and Common Sense Farmer. 



Brown, Brown, Trousdai^e, and Campbeli.. 



197 




Gfn, Gideon J. Pillow. 



received from their respective divisions.** The war continued until the 
fall of the City of Mexico, in September. 1847. Many sanguinary 
battles were fought, and the Tenness€e 
volunteers were everywhere distinguished 
for their determination and courage. 
Capt. William B. Allen, a young man of 
bright promise, was killed at the capture 
of Monterey, and with the comrades who 
fell by his side, has, at Lawrenceburg, the 
only monument in the State erected to the 
memory of the heroes who lost their lives 
in Mexico. John H. Savage, who came 
home with the rank of Lieutenant- 
Colonel, was wounded while gallantly 
leading an assault upon the Mexican 
stronghold at Molino-del-Rey. 

Brigadier General Gideon J. Pillow distinguished himself at the 
siege of Vera Cruz, and was one of the commissioners appointed to 
receive the surrender. He was wounded at Cerro Gordo, and again at 
Chapultepec. Before the close of the war, he rose to the rank of 
Major General. His trial and acquittal, on a charge of insubordination, 
with his powerful address in his own behalf, attracted national attention 
and interest. 

Col. William Trousdale was twice wounded at the battle of 
Chapultepec, and was breveted Brigadier General in the United States 
army. William B. Campbell, who gave the famous command, "Boys, 
follow me," won for his regiment the title of the "Bloody First." Col. 
William T. Haskell and Col. B. F. Cheatham were also conspicuous for 
their gallantry and meritorious conduct. 

347. Neill S. Brown Succeeds Aaron V. Brown. — Giles County 
has furnished three governors of Tennessee, all named Brown — 
Aaron V., Neill S., and John C. The last two were brothers, but were 
not related to the first. The contest in 1847 came on before the close 
of the Mexican War. The rich fruits of Polk's sagacious policy were 
not yet apparent. Aaron V. Brown offered for reelection, and the 
Whigs nominated Neill S. Brown to oppose him. Though still a 



* Reminiscences of a Campaign in Mexico. By a Member of "The Bloody 
First," p. 61 ; Speeches and Other Writings of Ex-Governor Aaron V. Brown, of 
Tennessee, pp. 395 and 220. 



198 



History of Tennessee. 




Gov. Neill S. Brown. 



young man, Neill S. Brown had taken part in every political contest 
since 1836, and had made much reputation as a political debater. More- 
over, he was justly esteemed for his 
genial disposition and his sparkling 
wit, as well as the more sturdy qualities 
of his mind. 

In his canvass, he criticised the con- 
duct of the war by the President, and 
lauded the heroism of General Taylor. 
The northern boundary of Oregon had 
been fixed by treaty at parallel forty- 
nine degrees of north latitude, instead 
of fifty-four degrees and forty minutes, 
and he pressed home Governor Brown's 
"Mount Pisgah" speech with telling 
efi:'ect. The election was close and 
hotly contested, but resulted in a majority for Neill S. Brown. 

348. "The War Horse of Sumner County." — When the war was 
ended, its returning heroes were received with little less than a triumph, 
and were honored by the people of the nation and State with the highest 
offices in their gift. General Taylor — "Old Rough and Ready" — was 
nominated by the Whigs and elected President. In Tennessee, Haskell 
and Savage were elected to Congress, and Trousdale and Campbell 
were, in turn, made governor. Gen. William Trousdale, known to his 
friends as "the War Horse of Sum- 
ner County," was nominated by the 
Democrats to oppose Governor Neill S. 
Brown. When but a boy, Trousdale 
left school to enlist in the Creek War; 
he served in the Florida War of 1836, 
and won great distinction in the war 
with Mexico. He added to the purity 
of his character, and the many homely 
virtues by which it was adorned, an ex- 
alted courage, capable of the most 
daring feats of valor, but had few of 
the brilliant parts that characterized his 
opponent. His services, however, had 

been too recent to be forgotten, and too brilliant to be ignored 
was elected by a small majority. 





Gov. WiLLiAsr Trousdale. 



He 



Andrew Johnson and Isham G. Harris. 



199 



349. The Commander of "The Bloody First."— When the Whig 
convention met in 185 1, WilHam B. Campbell was nominated for gov- 
ernor by acclamation. Campbell was 
a man whose name deserves to be 
preserved and honored in Tennessee. 
Modest and brave, honest and true, 
wise and prudent, he filled the full 
measure of his duty as a citizen and a 
patriot. Trousdale was again the 
candidate of the Democrats. The 
two Mexican heroes being before the 
public, the people again alternated 
between the parties, as they had done 
for years, and elected Campbell by the 
customary small majority. He was 
the last Whig governor. 




Gov. William B. Campbell. 



CHAPTER XXX. 

ADMINISTRATIONS OF ANDREW JOHNSON, 
ISHAM G. HARRIS, 1857-1S39. 



iS 33-18 37, AND 



350. The Johnson-Henry Canvass. — The opposing candidates for 
governor in 1853 were Andrew Johnson, Democrat, and Gustavus A. 
Henry, Whig. Henry greatly distinguished himself as an orator in 

his canvass with Cave Johnson for 
Congress in 1842. After that, he can- 
vassed the State three times in suc- 
cession as a Whig candidate for elector 
from the State at large. His form 
was well nigh faultless, his bearing 
grand and courtly, and his dehvery 
charmingly graceful and almost daz- 
zlingly brilliant. He was fairly enti- 
tled to be called the "Eagle Orator." 

Johnson, on the other hand, was the 
plainest of Democrats, but a powerful 
Tribune of the People. Born in pov- 
erty, the death of his father made it necessary for the County Court to 
bind him out to service at the age of ten years. He was, accordingly. 




Gov. Andrew Johnson. 




200 History op Tennessee. 

apprenticed to a tailor, but his proud spirit chafing under his servitude, 
he ran away from his master when about the age of sixteen. His edu- 
cation was wholly neglected. He never 
had the privilege of attending school a 
day in his life. He learned to read 
without a preceptor, his first book being 
an old "American Speaker." His fur- 
ther tuition was under the direction and 
with the assistance of his wife, while he 
\ won his bread at the tailor's bench. 

Still, he filled every political office within 
~^>-"^^i?(gr' ' *T!#* the gift of his people — Alderman, 

Mayor, Representative, State Senator, 
,, ^ TT • Governor, Member of Congress, United 

GirsTAVus A. Henry. o ' ^ 

States Senator, Vice - President, and 
President of the L-nited States. After a remarkable canvass, in which 
the speeches of the candidates bore little reference to each other, Johnson 
was elected. 

351. Slavery and the Union. — In 1854, Congress passed what was 
known as the Kansas-Nebraska Act, making the Missouri Compromise 
line of ^6 degrees and 30 minutes inoperative and void as to these Terri- 
tories, and leaving the question of slavery in them to be decided by their 
people. From that time slavery became the paramount question in 
national politics. On it, parties were gradually assuming sectional 
lines. Tennessee was devoted to the Union. It was a Tennessean — 
Andrew Jackson — who made possible the preservation of the Union in 
1861-65.^ His victories in the field brought shame and odium on the 
secession movement of the Blue Light Federalists of New England in 
1812-15 ; and his courage and patriotism as chief executive of the nation 
defeated and destroyed the nullification doctrine, in 1832-33. 

352. Johnson Defeats Gentry. — Notwithstanding their firm 
attachment to the Union, the tendency of the people of Tennessee, as 
of all the South, was to come together in defense of the right of slavery. 
This tendency was causing the disintegration of the Whig party in the 
South. It was not long until such prominent Whigs as James C. Jones 

^ Judge John M. Lea, President of the Tennessee Historical Society, quoted 
in a paper on Andrew Jackson, Tennessee, and the Union, by A. V. Goodpasture, 
published in the American Historicjal Magazine, Vol. I, p. 22?, 



Andrew Jackson and Isham G. Harris. 



20I 




Meredith P. Gentry. 



and James Williams came over to the Democratic party. In the mean- 
time, a secret political association, called the American, or Know- 
Nothing party, was formed, and 
many Whigs, out of accord with their 
party in the North, found it easier to 
cooperate with the Know-Nothings 
than with their old antagonist, the 
Democratic party. The Know- 
Nothing party, therefore, naturally 
gave their support to Meredith P. 
Gentry, whom the Whigs brought 
forward to oppose the reelection of 
Governor Johnson, in 1855. Gentry 
was a statesman of solid parts, as well 
as an orator of towering genius. 
John Ouincy Adams pronounced him 
"the greatest natural orator in Con- 
gress." Johnson made Know-Nothingism the leading issue of the can- 
vass, and in a memorable campaign defeated Gentry, being the first 
governor after James C. Jones who had been reelected. 

353. Election of Governor Isham G. Harris. — The Democratic 
party had now gained a permanent ascendency in Tennessee. In the 
presidential election of 1856, the State went Democratic for the first 
time since the election of Andrew Jackson, in 1832. In 1857, Isham G. 
Harris. Democrat, was elected governor over Robert Hatton by more 
than eleven thousand majority. 

354. The Code of Tennessee. — During this 
administration, the statute laws of the State were 
codified. The plan and arrangement followed 
was that of William F. Cooper, and the work 
has justly taken a place in the front rank of 
American codes. The State owes much to the 
circumstance that during the whole period when 
its system of jurisprudence was being formed, 
its ablest lawyers were induced to devote some- 
thing of their learning and ability to the work of 
compiling, digesting, and codifying its statute 
laws. No list of the most eminent lawyers of 
the State would be complete that did not contain the names of John 
Haywood, Robert L. Caruthers, Alfred O. P, Nicholson, Return J, 




Gov. Isham G. Harris. 



202 



History op Tennessee. 



Meigs, and William F. Cooper; and so long as the Code of Tennessee 
remains, it will be a monument to their just conception of the genius 

of our laws, and the intelligent manner in 
which they have reduced them into a system ; 
and in an especial manner to the analytic and 
systematic mind and untiring labor of Judge 
Cooper. 

355. "The Gray-Eyed Man of Destiny."— 
In 1857, the great filibuster, Gen. William 
Walker, made his last visit to Tennessee. 
He was a native of Nashville, and a graduate 
of the University of Nashville. He was 
called the "Gray-Eyed Man of Destiny," and 
his career in Sonora and Nicaragua was one 
of the most romantic and brilliant in the 
annals of filibustering. 




Gen. William Walker. 



CHAPTER XXXI. 

THE WAR CLOUD. 



356. Harris' Second Term as Governor. — In 1859, Governor 
Harris was reelected, defeating John N^etherland. His message to the 
Legislature showed the State debt proper to be $3,844,606.66, and its 
liability for bonds loaned for internal improvements, $12,799,000. He 
urged that the State debt should not be increased. In this year, John 
Brown made his raid into Virginia, with the purpose of inciting the 
negroes to insurrection. He was defeated, taken, and executed. This 
event, together Avith the growing abolition sentiment in the North, 
aroused a strong feeling of resentment in the South. The Presidential 
election of i860 intensified the struggle, and precipitated the issue. 
Abraham Lincoln, the Republican candidate, was elected, and his elec- 
tion was regarded by the Southern States as placing them at the mercy 
of a party hostile to their institutions. They began to feel vmsafe in 
the Union. December 20, i860, South Carolina passed the Ordinance 
of Secession, and the Southern States were brought face to face with 
the great crisis. 

357. Tennessee Refuses to Secede. — Before the end of January, 
1861, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas had 



The; War Cloud. 203 

followed the example of South Carolina. Virginia, Kentucky, 
Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee, and North Carolina, while claiming the 
right of secession, still remained in the Union, hoping to find means of 
conciliation. In Tennessee, the majority of the people loved the Union, 
and did not wish to secede. The Legislature met January 7, 1861, and 
ordered an election at which the people should, at the same time, vote 
upon the question of holding a convention, and elect delegates to serve 
in case the convention should he held. The election took place February 
9, and showed the sentiment in Tennessee • — for the convention, 57,798 ; 
against the convention, 69,675 ; for delegates who favored secession, 
24,749; for delegates who favored the Union, 88,803. 

358. Coercion. — The first gun of the Confederate War was fired 
at Fort Sumter, April 12, 1861. April 15th, President Lincoln issued a 
proclamation, calling for 75,000 troops, and followed this with a series 
of proclamations, declaring the ports of the seceded States in a state of 
blockade, and all vessels acting under authority of the blockaded States, 
guilty of piracy.^ The announcement of the purpose of the Federal 
Government to resort to coercion, produced a revolution of sentiment in 
Tennessee. 

359. Tennessee Secedes. — The Legislature convened in extra 
session April 25. May i, resolutions were adopted, authorizing the 
governor to enter into a military league with the Confederate States. 
The commissioners, Gustavus A. Henry, A. W. O. Totten, and Wash- 
ington Barrow, concluded "The League," May 7. One day before the 
conclusion of this league, the Legislature passed the Ordinance of 
Secession, and submitted it for ratification to a vote of the people in an 
election to be held June 8. The election was held at the appointed time, 
and the Ordinance was adopted l:)y a vote of 104,913 in its favor, to 
47,238 against it. 

360. The Provisional Army of Tennessee. — Acts were passed by 
the Legislature to raise and equip an army of 55,000 men, and to appro- 
priate $5,000,000 for the defense of the State. Gideon J. Pillow and 
Samuel R. Anderson were appointed Major Generals; and Felix K. 
Zollicoffer, Benjamin F. Cheatham, Robert C. Foster, John L. T. Sneed, 
and William R. Caswell, Brigadier Generals. The staff officers were : 
Daniel S. Donelson, Adjutant General; V. K. Stephenson, Quarter 
Master General ; R. G. Fain, Commissary General ; William Williams, 
Paymaster General ; Paul F. Eve, Surgeon General ; James D. Porter, 

^ Messages and Papers of the Presidents, Richardson, Vol. VI, pp. 13-17. 



204 History of Tennesse;^. 

W. C. Whitthorne, Hiram S. Bradford, and D. M. Key, Assistant 
Adjutant Generals. Other officers were subsequently appointed, and 
a military and financial board, consisting of Neill S. Brown, James E. 
Bailey, and W. G. Harding. General Pillow established headquarters 
at Memphis, and speedily organized the "Provisional Army of Tennes- 
see." Hon. James D. Porter, in his Military History of Tennessee, 
states: "Before the close of the year 1861, the official records of the 
office of the Secretary of State show 71 regiments of infantry, 22 bat- 
teries of artillery, 21 regiments of cavalry, 9 battalions, and enough 
independent companies and partisan rangers to have constituted 8 full 
regiments." This force is equivalent to about 108 regiments of all 
arms. Factories were established in Tennessee for the manufacture of 
powder, percussion caps, guns, quartermaster and commissary stores, 
Nashville and Memphis became depots of supply, not only for Tennes- 
see, but for the entire South.- June 24, Gov. Isham G. Harris made 
proclamation that the political ties were dissolved which bound Tennes- 
see to* the United States. July 31, 1861, the "Provisional Army of 
Tennessee," with all its equipments and stores, was transferred to the 
Confederate States, and became a part of the army of Maj. Gen. 
Leonidas Polk, commanding Department No. i, of the Confederate 
States, with headquarters at Memphisj. 

361. East Tennessee. — Meanwhile, a strong Union sentiment 
developed in East Tennessee. Leading statesmen of both parties, 
among whom were Andrew Johnson, William G. Brownlow, Thomas 
A. R. Nelson, and Horace Maynard, espoused the cause of the Union. 
A convention of the East Tennessee covmties was called, and assembled 
at Knoxville, May 30, 1891. "The delegates present numbered four 
hundred and sixty-nine, representing twenty-six counties, which, with 
two other counties represented by two resident proxies, constituted 
nearly the whole of East Tennessee."^ The convention was in session 
two days, and adjourned to meet at Greeneville, June 17, after the 
adoption of resolutions protesting against the military league and the 
recent acts of the General Assembly, favoring the policy of neutrality 
which had been recently adopted by Kentucky, and appealing to the 
people of the State, at the approaching election, to vote down the pro- 

'' See Miller's Manual, pp. 42-44; Confederate Military History, Vol. VIII, 
Tennessee, by Hon. James D. Porter, pp. 3-9. 

' Loyal Mountaineers, Humes, Chapter VII ; East Tennessee in the Civil 
War, Temple, Chapters VIII and IX. 



Contest for Kentucky. 205 

posed Ordinance of Secession, "while it is yet in their power, to come 
up in the majesty of their strength, and restore Tennessee to her true 
position." At the election, held about a week later, the State, as we 
have seen, gave a majority of 57,675 in favor of secession, but East 
Tennessee recorded a majority of about 20,000 against it. 

362. Proposition to Form a New State. — The delegates to the 
Union convention of East Tennessee reassembled at Greeneville at the 
appointed time, June 17. Their ardor for maintaining the Union was 
not daunted by the overwhelming vote of the State in favor of secession. 
They adopted a "Declaration of Grievances," and appointed a committee 
consisting of O. P. Temple, John Netherland, and James P. McDonald 
to petition the General Assembly for the formation of a new State, to be 
composed of East Tennessee and such adjoining counties of Middle 
Tennessee as might vote to be included. If this petition should be 
granted, Kingston was appointed as the place for the convention of the 
new State to assemble. If the petition should not be granted, it was 
proposed to establish an independent State, and to raise an army, with 
John Baxter as General. The new State was never formed, but many 
of the East Tennessee Unionists, at once, joined the Federal army. 
Others followed later. 

363. Bitter Animosity. — Thus divided against herself, Tennessee 
entered into the greatest civil struggle which history records. The 
Confederate authorities established the line of the Cumberland River, 
and held possession of the entire State until late in the winter of 1862. 
After that time, Tennessee became the battle-ground, different portions 
of the State being alternately in possession of Confederate and Federal 
troops. As is the case in all civil wars, fierce passions were aroused 
between the partisans on different sides, which deepened as the war 
progressed. 



CHAPTER XXXII. 

CONTEST FOR KENTUCKY. 

364. Planning the Attack. — Kentucky adopted the policy of 
"armed neutrality," and prohibited either belligerent from occupying 
the soil of the State with armed troops. Both sides strongly desired 
military possession of Kentucky, for political as well as military reasons; 
the Federal authorities in order to prevent the secession of the State, and 



2o6 History of Tennessee. 

to use it as the base of operations for the invasion of the South; the 
Confederate authorities, in order to encourage secession, to recruit their 
armies, and to use the Ohio River as a strong line of defense. Although 
each side hesitated for a time to be the aggressor, yet, in the end, neither 
respected the "neutrality of Kentucky." The Federal forces were 
assembling along the Ohio River. One army was at the mouth of the 
river at Cairo, another army was collecting at Louisville and other 
points. Camp Dick Robinson was established by General Nelson, in 
Garrard County, near the center of the State, as a Union recruiting- 
camp. Gen. Robert Anderson, formerly the commander of Fort Sum- 
ter, was appointed by President Lincoln to command the Department of 
Kentucky. Early in September, Gen. W. T. Sherman and Gen. 
George H. Thomas reported to General Anderson for duty. October 
7, General Sherman was appointed to succeed General Anderson, who 
had resigned on account of ill health. November 9, General Sherman 
was transferred to the "Alissouri Department," and Gen. Don Carlos 
Buell was appointed to command the Department of the Ohio. This 
department included "Ohio, Michigan, Lidiana, that portion of Ken- 
tucky east of the mouth of Cumberland River, and the State of Tennes- 
see." The portion of Kentucky west of the Cumberland River was 
attached to the Department of Missouri. 

A fleet of iron-clad gunboats was collected on the rivers under com- 
mand of Commodore Foote. The disposition of these forces clearly 
indicated two purposes: first, as an object of the highest importance to 
secure possession of the Mississippi River, thus cutting the Confederate 
territorv in two, and at the same time securing an invaluable line of 
transportation and supply : second, to occupy Kentucky, and thence to 
invade Tennessee.^ 

365. Planning the Defense of the Mississippi. — Pending the 
transfer of the "Provisional ^Vrmy of Tennessee" to the Confederate 
States, which was concluded July 31, 1861, General Pillow was sent by 
General Polk to Missouri with 6,000 men, and was soon after followed 
by General Cheatham with 3,000 men, to aid the Confederate cause in 
that State. July 28, General Pillow occupied and fortified New Madrid, 
Missouri, situated on the Mississippi River. September 4th, General 
Polk transferred the Tennessee troops to Columbus and Hickman, on 

^ Rise and Fall of the Confederate Government, by Jeflferson Davis, Vol. I, 
Chapter VIII; Smith's History of Kentucky, pp. 609-622; American Common- 
wealths — Kentucky — Shaler, Chapter XV ; Campaigns of the Civil War, Vol. 
II, Chapter I; Ibid., Vol. VII, Chapter I. 



Contest for Kentucky. 207 

the Kentucky side of the Mississippi, and assumed command in person. 
At these points, strong- fortifications were constructed to command the 
river, and reinforcements were sent from Tennessee ; in order to meet 
an anticipated attack from the Federal army and gunboat fleet at Cairo. 
Defenses were, also, constructed at Belmont, on the Missouri side of the 
river. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant was appointed, September i, to command 
the Federal forces assembled at Cairo, and arrived at that point three 
days before the occupation of Columbus by General Polk. He, at once, 
took possession of Paducah, at the mouth of Tennessee River, and 
Smithland, at the mouth of Cuml)crland River, and fortified both places. 
He then applied to the Federal authorities for permission to attack 
Columlnis, which was refused. - 

366. The Line of the Cumberland. — September 10, Gen. Albert 
Sidney Johnston was assigned to the command of the Confederate 
"Department of the West," including Tennessee, Kentucky, and other 
States. Upon assuming command, he found affairs in the condition 
above descrilied. He promptly decided to establish "The Line of the 
Cumberland." The left of this line was already resting- on the strongly 
fortified position at Columbus, on the Mississippi River, under the 
command of Gen. Leonidas Polk. It was extended nearly due east to 
Mill Springs, on the Cumberland River; thence southeast to its termi- 
nation, where its right rested on the entrenched position at Cumberland 
Gap. The center, at Bowling Green, under command of Gen. S. B. 
Buckner, was strongly fortified, and threatened Louisville. The right 
was commanded by Gen. George B. Crittenden, who threw his forces 
forward north of the Cumberland. Troops were stationed at interme- 
diate points along the line. Gen. John P). Floyd commanded at Russell- 
ville, and General Clarke at Flopkinsville. In rear of this line. Forts 
Henry and Donelson, i)rotccting, respectively, the Tennessee and Cum- 
berland rivers, were strongly fortified. Troops were stationed in 
reserve at Clarksvillc, Nashville, and other points. 

367. Belmont. — The right-center of the Confederate line, at 
Bowling Green, was not seriously assailed. The efforts of the Federal 
commanders were first directed against the two flanks, with the view of 
gaining the important position of Cumberland Gap, and of removing 
the obstructions to the control of the Mississippi River. The first 
attack was made on the Confederate left flank. General Grant, with a 



- Confederate Military History, Vol. VIII. by Hon. James D. Porter, pp. 9-1 1 ; 
Campaigns of Civil War, Vol. H, Chapter I — Official Records, etc. 



2o8 History op Tennessee. 

force of 3,114 men, accompanied by two gunboats, November 7, 1861, 
attacked Belmont, an outpost of the Confederate left flank, situated on 
the Missouri side of the Mississippi River, opposite the entrenchments 
at Columbus, Kentucky. The place was defended by a small force 
under command of Colonel Tappan. General Polk ordered General 
Pillow to cross the river to support Colonel Tappan, and subsequently 
sent General Cheatham with additional forces. General Grant's attack 
was at first successful, bvit, being assailed in the rear by General Cheat- 
ham, his forces were routed, and fled to the cover of the gunboats. 

368. The Bridge Burners.'"' — The day after the Battle of Belmont, 
November 8, 1861, occurred the burning of the bridges in East Tennes- 
see. This enterprise was planned by William Blount Carter, of Eliza- 
bethton, Tennessee. It was agreed upon in a conference with 
General McClellan, Secretary Seward, and President Lincoln. The 
plan was to burn, on the same night, nine bridges between Stevenson, 
Alabama, and Bristol, thus rendering useless 265 miles of railroad, and 
interrupting the communications between Tennessee and Virginia. On 
the appointed night, five bridges were burned. The bridge at Sweet- 
water was saved by the heroic defense of the guard, James Keilan. The 
bridge burners worked with great secrecy, but six of them were arrested, 
tried by court-martial, and condemned. Colonel Ledbetter, acting 
under instructions from Judah P. Benjamin, Confederate Secretary of 
War, carried into execution the sentence of the court, and five were 
hanged. The sixth was pardoned by President Jefiferson Davis. A 
number of Union men, suspected of similar designs, were imprisoned, 
and many Union men escaped and joined the Federal army. The 
circumstances connected with the burning of the bridges, and the severe 
measures used for the suppression of similar attempts, added greatly to 
the bitterness of sentiment in East Tennessee. 

369. Fishing Creek, or Mill Springs. — The next movement to 
break the Confederate line was made against its right flank. General 
Thomas, commanding a strong Federal force, marched against Beech 
Grove, north of the Cumberland River, where the right wing of the 
Confederate army was entrenched, under the command of Gen. 
George B. Crittenden, having been thrown forward from Cumberland 
Gap. Learning of the approach of the Federal force, General Critten- 
den moved forward to anticipate the attack. General Zollicoffer, lead- 
ing the advance, encountered the enemy near Fishing Creek, January 19, 
1862. After a severe battle of more than three hours, in which General 

' East Tennessee and the Civil War, Temple, pp. 362, 370-388, 393, 418. 



Tennessee the Battleground. 209 

Zollicoffer was killed, the Confederates were defeated, and driven back 
to Beech Grove. Finding his army unable to withstand the superior 
force of General Thomas, General Crittenden withdrew during the 
night to the south side of the Cumberland."* 

The death of General Zollicoffer cast a gloom over the State. Be- 
loved by the Confederates, he had gained the esteem of the Unionists 
while in command at Knoxville. He fell, an early victim of the war, 
before partisan passions had reached the bitter stage, and was lamented 
by friend and foe. 



CHAPTER XXXHI. 

TENNESSEE THE BATTLEGROUND. 

370. Fort Henry. — Fort Henry on the Tennessee, and Fort Don- 
elson, on the Cuml)erland, were twelve miles apart, protecting the navi- 
gation of the two rivers. Fort Henry was defended by a force of 2,610 
men of all arms, under command of Brigadier General Loyd Tilghman ; 
Fort Donelson, by a force of about four thousand men, under command 
of Brigadier General Bushrod Johnson. February 4, 1862, General 
Grant, with a force of 16,000 men. accompanied by a fleet of seven 
gunboats, carrying 54 heavy guns, began operations against Fort Henry. 
Finding that it was impossible to save the fort. General Tilghman deter- 
mined to save the garrison. He, therefore, on the third day of the 
siege, February 6th, ordered Colonel Fleiman to proceed to Fort Don- 
elson with the main body of the troops, while he remained in person with 
one artillery company to engage the enemy and secure the retreat. 
Being immediately assaulted, the little garrison of 66 men maintained a 
gallant resistance for two hours and ten minutes, when they surren- 
dered, after disabling two of Commodore Foote's gunboats, and inflicted 
on his fleet a severe loss. This was the first battle of the Confederate 
War fought on Tennessee soil. 

371. Fort Donelson. — General Grant now moved across the narrow 
peninsula between the two rivers, and invested Fort Donelson, Februarv 
I2th. On the evening of that day. he was reinforced by six reg- 

* Rise and Fall of the Confederate States, by Jefferson Davis, Vol. II, 
Chapter XVI; Confederate Military History, Vol. VIII, by James D. Porter, 
Chapter II; Campaigns of the Civil War, Vol. VII, Chapter II; Smith's History 
of Kentucky, p. 621. 



2IO History of Tennessee. 

iments of infantry and by Commodore Foote's fleet of gunboats. 
■During the siege, he received additional reinforcements. His total 
force is variously estimated. General Buckner reported it to be 50,000 
men. General Buell stated it to be between 30,000 and 35,000. The 
Federal statistical records generally place it at 27,000. In addition to 
this was Commodore Foote's fleet of six gunboats. Meanwhile, the 
garrison at Fort Donelson had been strengthened by the troops from 
Fort Henry, under Colonel Heiman, and the arrival of reinforcements 
under Generals Buckner, Pillow, and Floyd, and Gen. John B. Floyd 
had assumed the chief command. The total Confederate force has been 
variously estimated at from 1 1 ,738 to 20,000 men. No exact informa- 
tion is attainable.^ The most reliable estimates place the total force at 
about 15,000. The siege lasted five days — February 12 to 16. The 
first fighting was favorable to the Confederates. The gunboats were 
disabled and forced to retire; the besieging lines were successfully 
assailed and driven back, and a road was opened for the retreat of the 
garrison. On February 15th, the day before the surrender, the defense 
had been brilliant and successful. Then followed a fatal misunder- 
standing between the commanding officers. The road which had been 
opened for the retreat of the garrison was weakly abandoned. General 
Floyd turned over the command to General Pillow, and departed with 
a portion of his command. General Pillow turned over the command 
to General Buckner, and likewise departed. General Buckner an- 
nounced his intention to surrender the garrison. Col. N. B. Forrest, 
after protesting against the surrender, marched out with his cavalry 
force, and a few other soldiers. February 16, General Buckner sur- 
rendered the garrison. It is the general opinion of military men that 
affairs were badly managed. The statistical records- give the Federal 
loss in killed and wounded as 2.331, and the Confederate loss as 15,067, 
including prisoners. The Confederate loss is given as an estimate, and 
is evidently too great. The Confederate loss in killed and wounded, 
from reliable estimates, was about 1,420. 

372. The Retreat. — The surrender of Forts Henry and Donelson 
was a serious blow to the Confederate cause. It broke the line of the 
Cumberland, destroyed all hope of holding Kentucky, and lost control 

^ See Confederate Military History, Vol. VIII — Tennessee — by Hon. 
James D. Porter, pp. 18-32 ; Campaigns of the Civil War, Vol. II, Chapters II 
and III; Ibid., Supplemental Volume (Statistical Record), p. 94; Official 
Records, Vol. VII. 

° Campaigns of the Civil War, Supplementary Volume, p. 213. 



Tennessee the Battlegrouni). 211 

of Middle and West Tennessee. Bowling Green, Kentucky, and 
Nashville and all points in Middle Tennessee, were promptly evacuated, 
and Gen. A. S. Johnston concentrated his forces at Corinth, Mississippi. 
A portion of West Tennessee was held for a short time, in order to 
dispute the control of the Mississippi River. General Polk command- 
ing- the defenses of the Mississippi, began the evacuation of Columbus, 
Kentucky, February 25th, and fell back to the Tennessee line, where he 
constructed defenses at Island No. 10, in the Mississippi River, and 
along the banks of the river, from New Madrid to Fiptonville. General 
McCown was placed in command of these defenses, aided by Commo- 
dore Hollins, with eight gunboats. General Pope, with a strong 
Federal force, assailed the Confederate works. March 16, Commodore 
Foote, with his fleet of gunboats and mortar boats, began the attack on 
Island No. 10. The island was gallantly defended for three weeks, 
when the whole line was abandoned, and the entire Confederate force 
began the retreat, which was intercepted at Tiptonville. At this place. 
General Mackall, who had succeeded to the command, surrendered about 
3,000 men, April 8. 

373. Strategic Movements. — After the evacuation of Middle Ten- 
nessee, Gen. A. S. Johnston concentrated the Confederate army at 
Corinth, Mississippi, reaching there,* in person, March 24th. General 
Buell had occupied Nashville, February 24th, the day after the retreat 
of the rear-guard under Forrest, and no obstacle interposed to the com- 
plete occupation of Middle Tennessee. A strong Federal force was 
speedily concentrated at Pittsburg Landing. General Grant arrived 
there March 17th, and assumed command. 

374. Shiloh. — General Johnston, being informed that the Federal 
authorities were planning to accumulate, at Pittsburg Landing, an over- 
whelming force to attack Corinth, and that General Buell and others 
were on their way with reinforcements, determined to make an imme- 
diate attack on General Grant, before his reinforcements could arrive. 
The Federal army was encamped on the south side of Tennessee River, 
near Shiloh Church, not far north of the southern boundary of Tennes- 
see. General Johnston began the attack Sunday morning, April 6th, 
with a force, differently estimated at 40,000 to 50,000 men. He stated 
it, himself, to be 40,000. The force of General Grant is, likewise, dif- 
ferently estimated, from 32,722 to 41,153. On the first day, the Con- 
federates won a brilliant victory, and had driven the Federal forces back 
towards the river, under the protection of their gunboats, when General 
Johnston was killed, about two o'clock p. m. Much confusion was 



212 History of Tenneissee. 

caused by his fall, and the consequent failure of orders to continue the 
attack. General Beauregard succeeded to the command, and considered 
the hour too late to renew the attack. During the night, General Buell 
arrived with about 20,000 men, Gen. Lew Wallace with about 6,500, 
and other troops amounting to about 1,400. These reinforcements, of 
about 27,900 fresh men, were sufficient to turn the tide of battle. Early 
the next morning, General Grant attacked with all his forces. The 
Confederates were driven back, and retreated to Corinth. This battle 
was fiercely contested, and the losses on both sides were heavy. The 
Confederate loss in killed, wounded, and missing, was 10,699, about one- 

^i- - ^ 




Federal Cemetery at Shiloh. 

fourth of the army. The Federal loss, as given in official records, was 

375. Corinth. — A few days after the Battle of Shiloh, General 
Halleck arrived in person at Pittsburg Landing and assumed command 
of the combined armies of Grant and Buell, April nth. He ordered 
General Pope, who was then engaged in besieging Fort Pillow, to leave 
two regiments to continue the siege, and to report, with the rest of his 
army, to Pittsburg Landing. All other available troops were concen- 

* Confederate Military History, Vol. VIII, Chapter III ; Campaign-s of the 
Civil War, Vol. II, Chapters V, VI, and VII ; Ibid., Supplementary Volume, pp. 
97, 213; Official Records, Vol. X, Series I, pp. 108, 112, 113, 396, 398, 399; Rise 
and Fall of the Confederate States, by Jefferson Davis, Vol. II, Chapters XVII, 
XVIII, and XIX. 



Tennessk^ the Battleground. 213 

trated at this point, and in the latter part of April, Halleck, with an 
army exceeding 100,000 men, began the movement to dislodge Beaure- 
gard from Corinth. Beauregard, also largely reinforced, held his 
position at Corinth, and threw forward outposts towards the front. 
Halleck, advancing slowly and cautiously, had approached close to Cor- 
inth, when General Beauregard evacuated the place. May 30th, and 
retreated South.* 

376. Memphis Evacuated. — It was now impossible to hold West 
Tennessee. June ist Fort Pillow was abandoned. June 6th, Com- 
modore Davis, who had succeeded Commodore Foote, in command of 
the Mississippi fleet, destroyed the Confederate flotilla which attempted 
to defend Memphis, and the Federal forces occupied the city. Thus, 
by a strange decree of fate. Middle and West Tennessee, which were 
strongly Confederate in sympathy, came under the control of the Fed- 
eral authorities, and East Tennessee, which was strongly Union in 
sympathy, remained in possession of the Confederates. While such a 
condition was painful to all sections, it served to demonstrate the frank 
and firm character of the people of Tennessee. But few instances were 
found of apostasy or treachery. The mass of the people, on either side, 
resenting what they considered the oppression of their enemies, remained 
true to their convictions, and outspoken adherents of the cause which 
they espoused. Confederate soldiers marched by their homes, and 
followed their colors on the retreat to the South, while East Tennessee 
Unionists aliantloned home and fled to join the Federal army. 

377. The State Government. — We have, heretofore, followed the 
State government to the close of the Thirty-third General Assembly. 
The first session of the Thirty-fourth General Assembly convened at the 
Capitol October 7, 1861, and adjourned from December 21 to January 
20, 1862. February 15, 1862, in consequence of the fall of Fort Don- 
elson, the Legislature adjourned to Memphis, where it met Februar}- 
20th. After passing acts to authorize the State Banks to remove their 
locations, in case of invasion, and other acts to enable the governor to 
provide for emergencies, the Legislature adjourned sine die, March 
20th. The regular elections had been held. August i, 1861, previous 
to the evacuation of the State. Isham G. Harris was reelected governor, 
with a Legislature strongly Confederate in sympathy. Representatives 
were also elected to the Provisional Confederate Congress. Landon C. 
Haynes and Gustavus A. Henry were elected Senators to the Confed- 

^ Campaigns of the Civil War, Vol. II, Chapter V. 



214 History of TennEvSsee. 

erate Senate, and served to the end of the war. November 6, 1861, 
regular elections were held for Representatives to the First Permanent 
Confederate Congress, and for Presidential Electors. After the evacua- 
tion of the State, civil government was paralyzed, and subsequent elec- 
tions were held irregularly, and for the most part by the soldiers in the 
Confederate camps. In 1863, Robert L. Caruthers was elected gov- 
ernor, but failed to qualify as such, and Isham G. Harris continued 
nominally in office. In the same year, eleven Representatives were 
elected to the Confederate Congress.^ 

378. Military Government. — February 22, 1862, General Grant 
issued an order suspending civil government in Tennessee and declaring 
martial law. March 3d, President Lincoln appointed Andrew Johnson 
Brigadier General and Military Governor of Tennessee. Thus, the 
whole of Tennessee was placed under military government. Middle and 
West Tennessee by the United States, and East Tennessee by the Con- 
federate States. Governor Johnson arrived at Nashville and assumed 
command as Military Governor, March 12, 1862. He, at once, entered 
upon a vigorous policy, intended to crush resistance and restore Ten- 
nessee to the Union. This policy was severe against those who persisted 
in sympathy with the Confederacy, and conciliatory to those who were 
willing to desert the Confederate cause. He required test oaths from" 
public officers and suspected persons, fined citizens suspected of Confed- 
erate sympathy. Beginning in Nashville, he required all members of 
the city council, teachers, ministers of the gospel, and influential citizens, 
to take the test oath. Those who refused were arrested for treason. 
Some were imprisoned and others sent South. A Union convention 
was held in the city, which passed Union resolutions, and issued a public 
address. As a test of public sentiment, the governor ordered an 
election for Judge of the Criminal Court. The Union candidate was 
defeated by the popular vote, whereupon Governor Johnson arrested 
and imprisoned the successful candidate. 

379. The Raids. — The conditions in Tennessee afforded the 
opportunity for a species of warfare which was peculiarly suited to the 
genius of the Confederate soldier, and has no parallel in any other war. 
In the fine-stock-raising States of Tennessee and Kentucky, the citizens 
were nearly all expert horsemen, and were provided with an abundant 

"Miller's Manual, pp. 44, 45, 46, 169, 174, 177, 178; Loyal Mountaineers, 
pp. 126-129; American Historical Magazine, Vol. I, No. 4, p. 310 (Article of 
R, L, McDonnold, October Number, 1896). 



i 



Tknnesses the; Batti^eground, 215 

supply of the finest horses in the world. As a result, the cavalry 
service, or, more properly, the mounted infantry service, was very pop- 
ular. Daring leaders, like Morgan and Forrest, found it easy to attract 
recruits to their standards. The main body of the Federal troops had 
been concentrated under Halleck and Grant for the large operations in 
the South. Tennessee was held by small garrisons, stationed at a few 
important towns. With a brilliancy and dash which has never been 
surpassed, the Confederate raiders suddenly broke into Tennessee and 
Kentucky, captured garrisons, disconcerted the matured plans of Fed- 
eral generals, and of the Military Governor, and reanimated the droop- 
ing spirits of their Confederate friends. 

380. Morgan. — Early in May, Col. John H. Morgan entered 
Middle Tennessee, and after performing brilliant exploits at Pulaski 
and other points along the Nashville and Decatur Railroad, moved 
arovmd the vicinity of Nashville, and rested at Lebanon, where he was 
attacked and defeated. Moving into Kentucky, he made a successful 
attack at Cave City, and then retired to Chattanooga to recuperate, 
preparatory to his famous Kentucky raid. 

381. Forrest. — Col. Nathan Bedford Forrest, moving by a secret 
and rapid march from Chattanooga, with a force of 1,300 mounted men, 
reached Murfreesboro on the morning of July 13th, about five o'clock. 
The town was defended by a garrison of more than 1,765 men, under 
command of General Crittenden. After sharp fighting, the entire 
garrison was captured, together with four pieces of artillery, 600 horses 
and mules, and a large quantity of stores and supplies. A number of 
citizens who were held in arrest on account of their "sympathy with 
the rebellion," six of whom were under sentence of death, were set free. 
After brilliant exploits and narrow escapes, he eluded General Nelson, 
who attempted to encompass him with a large force. September 3d, 
he joined the main body of General Bragg's army, then at Sparta, on its 
way to invade Kentucky." 

382. Morgan. — While Forrest was engaged in Middle Tennessee, 
Morgan was operating in Kentucky and in Tennessee north of Nash- 
ville. General Bragg was at that time preparing to move his army into 
Kentucky, and ordered Morgan to destroy the Louisville and Nashville 
Railroad, so as to impede the movements of General Buell. Having 

'■ Campaigns of Lieutenant-General N. B. Forrest, by Jordan and Pryor, 
Chapter V. ; also, former references, Campaigns of the Civil War, Vol. VII, 
Chapter IV; Wycth's History oi Foirest, etc. 



2i6 History op Tennksseb. 

returned from his brilliant raid into Kentucky, he began operations in 
Tennessee, captured Gallatin, with two hundred prisoners, destroyed the 
railroad bridge and the tunnel near that place, and captured Colonel 
Boone, at Hartsville. He defeated Gen. R. W. Johnson, who had been 
sent against him, with a force of cavalry, infantry, and artillery. Gen- 
eral Johnson, with a portion of his command, surrendered as prisoners 
of war. 



CHAPTER XXXIV. 

KENTUCKY CAMPAIGN. 

383. Condition of East Tennessee. — East Tennessee had all the 
while been occupied by Confederate troops, and held under military 
control. Although the large majority of the population were Union in 
sympathy, there was a respectable minority who warmly espoused the 
Confederate cause. This division of sentiment led to much strife and 
many acts of violence between the opposing parties. The Union men 
were restive under Confederate control, and complained bitterly that 
they were subjected to injustice and oppression. They solicited the 
Federal authorities to occupy the country, yet, so far, no such attempt 
had been made. General Zollicoffer and General Crittenden had suc- 
cessively commanded the Department. In the spring of 1862, Gen. 
E. Kirby Smith was assigned to this command, with headquarters at 
Knoxville. The possession of East Tennessee,- at this juncture of 
affairs, afforded the opportunity for the invasion of Kentucky. 

384. Bragg Occupies Chattanooga. — After the evacuation of 
Corinth, May 30, 1862, the Confederate army was divided. Gen. 
Braxton Bragg, June 17th, was assigned to the command of the Army 
of Tennessee, and moved from Tupelo to occupy Chattanooga ; General 
Buell was, also, moving from Corinth with the same purpose in view, 
and the further purpose of invading East Tennessee. Bragg won the 
race, and, upon reaching Chattanooga, began preparations for assuming 
the offensive. 

385. Advance of Gen. E. Kirby Smith. — August i6th, General 
Smith entered Kentucky, and moved northward. On the 30th, he 
gained a brilliant victory at Richmond over a superior force, commanded 
by General Manson, and subsequently by General Nelson. He then 
sent General Heth forward to threaten Cincinnati, while he accumulated 



Kentucky Campaign. 217 

army supplies and awaited the arrival of General Bragg, to whom he 
reported, October 4th. 

386. Bragg's Kentucky Campaign. — General Bragg marched to 
Glasgow, Kentucky, which place he reached September 13th. j\Iun- 
fordsville was captured on the 17th, with 4,267 prisoners, ten pieces of 
artillery, and a large amount of munitions of war. 

So far, Bragg's movements had been brilliant and successful. 
Buell had been completely deceived and outflanked, and was following 
on behind, having been outstripped in the race. From this point to the 
close of the campaign, the strategy of General Bragg has been blamed 
by some military critics and defended by others. After several days 
of maneuvering, he left the main route to Louisville, and permitted 
General Buell to pass. 

General Buell, after receiving reinforcements and supplies at Louis- 
ville, marched out to oft'er battle. A brilliant, but indecisive, battle 
was fought at Perryville, October 8th, in which the losses of General 
Buell are stated, in the statistical records, as 4,348. The Confederate 
loss has been variously estimated from 2,500 to 7,000. The most reliable 
estimate places it at 3,212. After this battle, General Bragg withdrew 
from Kentucky at leisure, bringing with him large stores of supplies. 

387. Forrest Returns to Tennessee. — General Forrest had been 
employed during the Kentucky campaign in harrassing Buell's army.^ 
A few days before the Battle of Perryville, he was relieved from com- 
mand of his brigade, and ordered to Middle Tennessee, for the purpose 
of recruiting and organizing cavalry troops, of which he was to assume 
command, and to take possession of the most eligible position from which 
he could annoy the Federal forces at Nashville, and secure a rallying point 
for the concentration of an army. Leaving Bardstown, Ky., September 
27th, he travelled on horseback, and reached Murfreesboro October ist. 

388. The Condition in Middle Tennessee. — General Negley, with 
a small force, held Nashville. The Confederate Congress had recently 
passed the partisan ranger law. Under this law, a number of independ- 
ent battalions and companies were recruited. These several inde- 
pendent organizations, by concert of action among their leaders, but 
under no general command, established camps on the various turnpikes 
leading out of Nashville, and effectually blockaded the city. About 

^Smith's History of Kentucky, pp. 631-650; Rise and Fall of the Confed- 
erate States, Vol. II, pp. 382-384; Confederate Military History, Vol. VII, Chapter 
IV; Campaigns of the Civil War, Vol. VIII, Chapters V and VI; Official 
Records, Vol. XVI, Part II. 



2i8 History op Tennessee. 

1,700 of these partisan rangers had assembled at Lavergne, fifteen 
miles from Nashville. October 7th, a few days after the arrival of 
General Forrest at Miirfreesboro, this assemblage was attacked, and 
nearly surrounded, by a force sent by General Negley from Nashville, 
consisting of 400 cavalry and 2,600 infantry. Panic-stricken, the Con- 
federates fled from the camp, making almost no resistance. A few of 
the number were captured. This precipitate flight received the name 
of the "Lavergne Races." General Forrest came to the rescue, and 
pursued the Federal force to Nashville. 

389. Organization. — From the experience of the "Lavergne 
Races," the independent "partisan rangers" had learned the value of 
organization. They were inspired l)y the advent of their natural leader. 
Nearly all of them enlisted as regular cavalry, and thus, the nucleus of 
an army was ready at Forrest's hands. Before November ist, a force 
of 3,500 cavalry was organized at Murfreesboro. Those who had 
taken part in the "Lavergne Races," now possessed with the spirit of 
veterans, were ever afterwards the bone and sinew of "Forrest's Cav- 
alry." 

390. Nashville Threatened. — General Breckinridge arrived at 
Murfreesboro, and assumed conmiand, October 28th, bringing with him 
the advance of Bragg's army, about 3,000 infantry. Forrest, at once, 
advanced to Lavergne with his cavalry force. The brigade of General 
Hanson, consisting of 3,000 infantry and two batteries, was added to 
his command. Having obtained the consent of General Breckinridge, 
Forrest moved from Lavergne, November 6th, for the purpose of 
capturing Nashville. He approached the city, and had actually driven 
in the pickets, and formed his lines for the assault, when he received 
orders from General Breckinridge, under peremptory instructions from 
General Bragg, forbidding the attack. Deeply disappointed, he with- 
drew his forces, under protest. 



CHAPTER XXXV. 
CONTEST FOR TENNESSEE. 

39L Concentration at Murfreesboro. — The army of Tennessee, 
having returned from Kentucky, was concentrated at Murfreesboro, at 
which place General Bragg established his headquarters, December 2, 
1862. The line extended east to Triune, and west to Readyville. For- 



Co.sTEST FOR TENNESSEE. 219 

rest was sent on an expedition to West Tennessee, and Morgan to 
Kentucky. Gen. Joseph Wheeler was made Chief of Cavalry, and 
commanded the outpost at Lavergne. Meanwhile, General Buell had 
heen relieved from the command of the Army of the Cumberland, and 
his successor. Gen. William S. Rosecrans, concentrated the Federal 
forces at Nashville, December 26th, General Rosecrans advanced from 
Nashville to attack Bragg at Murfreesboro. The advanced posts were 
driven from Lavergne, and the two armies were face to face on the 30th 
day of December. 

392. Battle of Murfreesboro. — On the last day of the year 1862, 
December 31, the battle began, and was fiercely waged for three days. 
This battle was remarkable for its vicissitudes, and was one of the most 
closely contested battles of the war. At the end of the struggle, both 
sides claimed the victory. The report of General Bragg states his 
force present for duty on the first day of the battle, 37,712, and his total 
loss in killed, woimded, and missing, 10,266, a loss of 27^ per cent, and 
three pieces of artillery. He estimates the enemy's force at 70,000 
men on the field, with reinforcements approaching. He reports that he 
had captured 6,273 prisoners, by actual count, with thirty pieces of 
artillery, 6,000 stands of small arms, and a large amount of property, 
besides destroying over 800 of the enemy's wagons and much valuable 
property.^ General Rosecrans reports his effective force as 46,940; 
number engaged in the battle, 43,400, and estimates the enemy's force 
at 62,490. In his first report, he estimates his own loss at 11,578. In 
a subsequent revised statement, he gives his loss as 9,532 killed and 
wounded, and 3,717 prisoners, making a total of 13.249. If General 
Bragg's counted list of 6,273 prisoners be correct, it would make the 
loss of Rosecrans 15,805, a loss of 36I per cent." 

393. Wheeler's Raids. — A remarkable feature of the batde was the 
cavalry raids of Generals Wheeler and Wharton. Four of these raids 
were made. In one of them. General Wheeler passed entirely around 
the Federal army. A nimiber of wagons and a large amount of prop- 
erty were destroyed, horses and mules were captured, many prisoners 
were taken, and Rosecrans' commimications were, for a time, inter- 
rupted. General Wheeler hoped to capture the Federal ammunition 
train. In this, however, he was foiled by the precautions of General 
Gates P. Thruston (then captain), who was in command of the train, 

^ Official Records, Series 1, Vol. XX, Part I, pp. 66:^-674. 
'Official Records, Series I, Vol. XX, Part I, pp. 188-217. 



220 History of Tennessee. 

and, in disobedience of orders, changed the location oi his train from 
Lavergne to a point six miles nearer Murfreesboro. If this train had 
been captured, the retreat of the Federal army would have been 
necessar_v. 

394. The Line of Duck Elver. — General Bragg retreated to 
Shelbyville, and established his line along Duck River, the left extending 
to Columljia, guarding the Louisville and Nashville Railroad. Rose- 
crans remained quietly at Murfreesboro for six months, making ex- 
tensive preparations for the forward movement which he was planning. 
His right extended to Franklin, on the Louisville and Nashville 
Railroad. 

The only activity was on the line of the Louisville and Nashville 
Railroad, where the Confederate left wing, under Van Dorn and 
Forrest, confronted the Federal right under Gordon Granger. Forrest 
had been sent on an expedition to West Tennessee, a short time before 
the Battle of Murfreesboro. 

After brilliant exploits performed at Lexington, Jackson, Trenton, 
Union City, Parker's Cross Roads, and other places, and accompanying 
General Wheeler on two expeditions to Cumberland River, he returned 
to Middle Tennessee and took position at Columbia, on the left flank of 
the army. Soon afterwards. Gen. Earl Van Dorn arrived with a force 
of 4,500 men, and assumed command at Columbia. 

395. Cavalry Battles. — March 5th, Van Dorn and Forrest met at 
Thompson's Station a Federal force under Colonel Coburn, numbering 
about three thousand men. After a spirited engagement, Colonel 
Coburn surrendered the infantry portion of his command, 2,200 men, 
including the wounded, while the cavalry escaped. The Confederate 
loss was thirty-five killed, 140 wounded.^ 

March 25th, Forrest passed in rear of Franklin, and captured the 
garrison of Brentwood, taking 759 prisoners. 

396. The Streight Raid. — April 23d, Forrest was ordered to 
North Alabama to assist General Roddy, who was falling back before 
the superior force of General Dodge. While engaged in this service, 
he learned that Colonel Streight, with a force of about two thousand 
men, was moving to the South to capture Rome, Georgia, for the pur- 
pose of destroying valuable Confederate works at that place. Moving 
rapidly, he overtook Streight at Sand Mountain, and immediately 

' Campaigns of Civil War, Vol. VII, pp. 141-143. Accounts of this battle 
differ. This seems the fairest account. 



Contest for Tennessee. 221 

attacked him, capturing his camp. Straight retreated up Sand 
Mountain Gap, where he repulsed an attack, and continued his march 
for Rome, followed by Forrest. 

After an exciting chase of four days, interspersed with running 
fights. Colonel Streight surrendered. May 3d, near Rome, his whole 
force of 1,466 men, which was increased a few hours later by the surren- 
der of another detachment, making the total number of prisoners about 
1,700. The entire force present with Forrest at the surrender was only 
500 men. This was admitted by all military men to be one of the most 
1n-illiant feats of the war. 

397. Evacuation of Middle Tennessee. — In June, 1863, General 
Rosecrans moved forward, with a large and well appointed army, to 
force Bragg from Middle Tennessee. Bragg made a show of resist- 
ance, but after some fighting, evacuated Middle Tennessee. July 7th, 
the Confederate army was concentrated at Chattanooga. General 
Buckner held Knoxville and East Tennessee until September 2, 1863, 
when, upon the approach of a strong Federal force, under command of 
Gen. A. E. Burnside, he withdrew from Upper East Tennessee, and 
joined Bragg near Chattanooga. General Longstreet was detached 
from the Army of Virginia, with more than five thousand men of his 
corps, and was coming by railroad to reinforce Bragg. 

In the meantime, General Rosecrans was marching to the attack, 
with an army of 70,000 men. He had crossed the Tennessee River at 
Bridgeport, and was moving to the Confederate rear. General Bragg 
evacuated Chattanooga September 8th, and fell back to Lafayette, Ga., 
to form a junction with General Longstreet, whose forces were ap- 
proaching from the South. 

398. Chickamauga. — The greatest batde of the West was fought 
September 19th and 20th, mainly on Georgia soil, near the Tennessee 
line, and for the possession of Tennessee. General Bragg attacked the 
Federal army along the line of Chickamauga Creek. The main body 
of the army was the flower of the Tennessee troops. Inspired by the 
hope of regaining their homes, they fought with a valor that has never 
been surpassed on any field. 

The total forces of the Federal army, by the morning report of 
September 20th, was 67,548 men, of which 64,392 were engaged in the 
battle. Bragg's total effective force in the battle was 47,321. The 
losses on both sides were very heavy. The Federal loss was 16,170, 
as officially reported. The Confederate loss has never been officially 
reported, but, from the best estimates, was not far from equal to the 



222 History op Tennessee. 

Federal loss. The Federal army, demoralized and beaten, saved from 
destruction only by the heroic defense made by General Thomas, fled 
in confusion to Chattanooga. 

General Forrest was sent through Rossville Gap with a small force 
to assail the flank of the fleeing column. The Eleventh Tennessee 
Cavalry, under Col. D. W. Holman, leading Forrest's advance, ap- 
proached within less than a mile of Chattanooga, and held this position 
for more than five hours. General Forrest urged that the Federal line 
of retreat should be intercepted at this point. General Bragg, however, 
prohil)ited pursuit, and Rosecrans occupied and fortified Chattanooga.* 

339. Siege of Chattanooga. — The victory of Chickamauga was 
barren of results to the Confederates. The soldiers who had fought 
so hard to open the road to Tennessee complained that General Bragg 
had failed to follow up his victory, and had permitted the Federal army 
to fortify Chattanooga. Rosecrans was now besieged, and confined to 
the city and its defenses, while the effort was made to force the surren- 
der of his army, by destroying his communications. 

The authorities at Washington, however, recognized the importance 
of holding the great gateway of Chattanooga, and relief was sent, in 
time. October 24th, General Grant arrived at Chattanooga, and 
assumed command of an army largely reinforced, with restored com- 
munications, and ready to resume the offensive. 

400. Forrest Transferred, Longstreet Detached. — General Forrest, 
a few days after the battle of Chickamauga, was sent into East Ten- 
nessee to intercept an attempt, which was suspected, on the p^rt of 
Burnside, to form a junction with Rosecrans. On this expedition, he 
encountered and defeated Federal forces at Charleston, Athens, Sweet- 
water, Philadelphia, and Loudon. Soon afterwards, he was transferred 
to the Mississippi Department, w'here he arrived November i8th. 

Early in November, General Longstreet was ordered to move 
against Burnside, at Knoxville. He carried with him his own corps, 
Gen. Bushrod Johnson's division, and other infantry, and a cavalry 
force under General Wheeler. After some fighting on the way, he 
reached and invested Knoxville. November 17, 1863. 

* Official Records, Vol. XXX, Parts I, II, and III ; Campaigns of the Civil 
War, Vol. VII, Chapters XI and XII; Confederate Military History, Vol. VIII, 
by James D. Porter, Chapter VII ; Rise and Fall of the Confederate States, by 
Jefft:i-son Davis, Vol. II, pp. 427-434 ; Military Annals of Tennessee, by J. Berrien 
Lindsley, pp. 693-695 ; Campaigns of Lieut. -General N. B. Forrest, Chapters XI 
and XII. 



Contest for Tennessee. 



22' 



401. Orchard Knob, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge. — 

General Grant had now accumulated an immense force at Chattanooga, 
and had fully established his lines of communication. Bragg, with his 
forces weakened by the detachment of Longstreet, clung tenaciously 
and fatally to the investment of Chattanooga. In the closing days of 
November, in a series of detached actions, known as the battles of 
Chattanooga, Grant broke the Confederate lines at Lookout Mountain, 
Orchard Knob, and Missionary Ridge. The final disaster at Mission- 
ary Ridge, November 25th, drove Bragg to retreat South in confusion. 
December 27th, Gen. Joseph E. Johnston assumed command of the 



% ' ; 




x''y 







Federals Climbing IvOokout Mountain after the Retreat of the Confederates. 

Army of Tennessee, at Dalton, Georgia. Early in ^lay, 1864, the 
Federal forces advanced, and the Atlanta campaign began. 

402. Siege of Knoxville Raised. — After the defeat of the Confed- 
erate army at Missionary Ridge, General Grant detached a force of 
30,000 men, under command of General Sherman, and another force 
from Decherd under General Elliott, to move towards Knoxville, and 
to cooperate with a third force, moving from Cumberland Gap, to raise 
the siege of Knoxville. General Longstreet, being informed of these 
movements, raised the siege December 4, 1863, '^"^^^ withdrew towards 
Virsrinia. 



224 History of Tennessbk. 

General Longstreet continued to hold a portion oi Upper East 
Tennessee, with headquarters at Morristown. He was, soon after- 
\;ards, succeeded b}' General Euckner. 

403. A Romantic Campaign. — A desultory campaign followed, 
maintained, for the most part, by the cavalry. This campaign was one 
of the most romantic in the history of the war. Two large bodies of 
hostile cavalry, unable, on account of the difficulty of transportation, to 
procure adequate supplies of forage, were compelled to live upon the 
country. They fought for possession of the fertile sections, but the 
scarcity of supplies forced them to separate into small detachments. 
Roving bands, in pursuit of subsistence, encountered each other, and 
the hostile commands became inextrical)ly entangled. Then followed 
a period of innumerable skirmishes antl individual adventures, which 
accords more watli the chronicles of knight errantry than with the annals 
of modern warfare. 

This condition of afifairs subjected the citizens to a reign of terror. 
The impressments of food, forage, and horses, made by both sides legiti- 
mately, under the pressure of military necessity, were bad enough, but 
the situation afforded the opportunity to lawless men to perpetrate out- 
rages which no honorable partisan will wish to defend, and which the 
brave soldiers of either army not only condemned, but were ever ready 
to avenge. 

During this short campaign, a number of brilliant engagements 
occurred, among which were : Maynardsville, December 3d ; Mossy 
Creek, December 24th and December 29th; Dandridge, January 20, 
1864; Dibrell's Hill, January 28th; Shook's Gap, February 20th. In 
the spring of 1864, the Confederate troops were withdrawn, and the 
entire territory of Tennessee remained in possession of the Federal 
authorities. 



CHAPTER XXXVT. 

MILITARY GOVERNMENT. 

404. Governor Johnson's Plans. — Andrew Johnson, Military 
Governor of Tennessee, was now free to assert jurisdiction over the 
entire State, and to resume his policy of restoring it to the Union. 
From the beginning, it was his ardent ambition to be the instrument to 
restore the Federal relations of Tennessee. His plans had been inter- 



Military Government. 225 

rupted by the reoccupation of the State by the Confederate army. He 
now returned vigorously to the task. 

405. Proclamations. — January 26, 1864, Governor Johnson issued 
a proclamation, providing for the election of county and city officers, to 
be held March 5th. The next day, he issued a second proclamation, 
granting amnesty to those who should take an oath which he prescribed, 
and disqualifying all others from voting or holding office. These 
proclamations were not acceptable either to the Confederate sympa- 
thizers or to the Unionists. The Confederates considered the oath as 
severe and humiliating in its terms, and the Unionists objected to it, be- 
cause they thought it opened the franchise too widely, and because it was 
unjust to require any oath from men whose loyalty had never been 
suspected. 

There were, in all portions of the State, men who, from Union 
sentiment, or from disability, by age or otherwise, while sympathizing 
with their friends in the Confederate army, had taken no part in the 
struggle, and had remained inactive or neutral. There were enough 
of these to organize a State government, and maintain order within the 
Federal lines. They felt it to be their wisest course, and their duty, to 
interpose in this crisis, for the benefit of the helpless non-combatant 
residents of the State. Governor Johnson hoped to bring such men to 
his support. Unfortunately, he was persuaded by others to frame an 
oath to which many whom he wished to conciliate could not honorably 
subscribe. They were willing to take an oath to abstain from any 
participation in the contest, but this oath required them to transfer 
partisanship from one side to the other. The course of Governor 
Johnson aroused opposition among his own partisans, which defeated 
his purposes, and later on, led to a fierce political conflict. 

406. TJnion Conventions. — August 12th, a general conference of 
prominent Union men was held at Nashville. This conference called 
a convention to meet at Nashville, Septeml^er 5th, to take steps for the 
reorganization of civil government, and to provide for holding the 
Presidential election. 

The convention met at the appointed time, and a wide divergence 
was developed between its members. The Radical wing of the Union 
party advocated extreme measures, which the Conservative party stren- 
uously opposed. The Radicals gained control of the convention, and 
the Conservatives withdrew. The breach was widened by the Presi- 
dential election, which soon followed. Andrew Johnson was a candi- 
date for Vice-President. He issued a proclamation, prescribing for 



226 History of Tennessee. 

voters the famous "iron-clad oath." It was charged by his opponents 
that this oath was framed to prevent the Conservatives from voting, 
and thus to secure the State in favor of the Lincohi and Johnson 
electors. 



CHAPTER XXXVII. 

FORREST'S RAIDS. 

407. The Tennesseans in Retreat. — After the disaster of Mission- 
ary Ridge, and the evacuation of East Tennessee, the Confederates 
never again held permanent possession of Tennessee, but they did not 
leave the Federal possession undisturbed. In many battles, and in 
almost daily skirmishes, the Tennessee soldiers, fighting in other States, 
bore the part of heroes, ever sustained l)y the hope of winning back their 
beloved Tennessee. 

408. Forrest in West Tennessee. — The first advance into Tennes- 
see was made in the west. After the battle of Chickamauga, General 
Forrest was transferred to Mississippi, taking with him 310 men of his 
old command. Here he was assigned to the duty of invading West 
Tennessee, in the hope of raising a force of cavalry, and of annoying 
the enemy. The expedition was regarded as a "forlorn hope," but it 
led to the most lirilliant epoch of Forrest's military career, drew on his 
exploits the eyes of the world, and won his title, "The Wizard of the 
Saddle." 

Entering West Tennessee with five hundred men, he remained 
there thirty days, recruited a force of three thousand men within the 
enemy's lines, evaded General Hurlbut, who attempted to encompass 
him with a force of twenty thousand men, fought five battles — Jack's 
Creek, Estenaula, Somerville, Lafayette, and Collierville — threatened 
Memphis, crossed the Wolf River on the bridge built by his pursuers 
on their way to capture him, and finally passed the fortified line of the 
Memphis and Charleston Railroad, and reached the Confederate lines, 
having inflicted on his pursuers a loss of about two hundred men, and 
bringing out a long train of wagons laden with supplies, besides a great 
number of horses, mules, and cattle. For this feat he was rewarded 
by the appointment of IMajor General. 

409. Forrest in Mississippi. — It docs not pertain to our history to 
relate the operations of Forrest in Mississip]:)i. It is sufficient to note 



Forrest's Raids. 227 

that he made Mississippi the base of his operations, from which he 
made frequent irruptions into Tennessee. In Mississippi, he became 
famous for his operations against the forces of Generals Smith and 
Grierson, over whom he gained brihiant victories. Later, he gained 
the brihiant victories of Tishomingo Creek and Brice's Cross Roads. 
Operating from Mississippi, he made four expeditions into West Ten- 
nessee and one into Middle Tennessee. The first has already been 
described. 

410. Raids into Tennessee. — March 15, 1864, Forrest started on 
his second raid into West Tennessee, and extended his operations into 
Kentucky, captured Union City, made an attack on Paducah, made 
demonstrations on Cohmibus and other points in Kentucky, and re- 
turned to Tennessee. In addition to numerous minor captures and 
engagements, at Somerville, Bolivar, and other places, this expedition 
was made famous by the capture of Fort Pillow. He has been unjustly 
charged with slaughtering the negro troops at this place after their 
surrender. 

In the third expedition into West Tennessee, he surprised Memphis, 
penetrated into the heart of the city, and came very near capturing the 
Federal commanders, Washburn and Hurlbut. 

411. Raid into Middle Tennessee. — The next expedition was into 
Middle Tennessee and North Alabama, crossing the Tennessee River, 
September 21, 1864. In this brilliant expedition, he captured the 
Federal garrisons at Athens, Alabama, and at Sulphur Springs Trestle, 
besides a num1:)cr of smaller garrisons at l)lock-houses. x^fter making 
demonstrations at Pulaski, he began a rapid march to strike the com- 
munications of Sherman on the Nashville and Chattanooga Railway. 
On the way, he received intelligence from his trusty scouts that fifty 
thousand Federal troops were on the march to encompass him. The 
danger was great. He promptly sent General Buford in command of 
the wagons and captvired stores, under a strong guard, to cross the 
Tennessee River and retreat South. With the best mounted troops, he 
made a dash towards Nashville, to mislead the enemy, and secure the 
retreat of the heavily laden wagon train. The entire force of the 
enemy followed him. After demonstrations around Columbia, and 
movements as if to attack Nashville, he suddenly evaded the Federal 
forces, gathering to surround him, and moved rapidly to the Tennessee 
River. On the retreat, he was pursued by a large Federal force. The 
river, swollen by recent rains, was unfordable, and the command was 
placed in great danger. Forrest's genius improvised the means of 



228 History of Tennessee. 

crossing, but a portion of the command escaped only by swimming. 
The Federals crossed the river in pursuit, but were repulsed at Eastport 
by Col. D. C. Kelley, one of the best and bravest of Forrest's officers. 

In this expedition, General Forrest inflicted upon the enemy a loss 
of 3,500 men, in killed, wounded, and captured ; 8 pieces of artillery, 
3,000 stands of arms, 900 horses, besides a large amount of ordnance, 
medical, quarter-master, and commissary stores, and having destroyed 
a number of railroad bridges, with nearly one hundred miles of railroad 
track, two locomotives, fifty cars, etc. He gained over one thousand 
recruits. All this was accomplished in twenty-three days, with a loss 
of about three hundred men. 

412. Raid into West Tennessee. — After a short rest, Forrest 
entered West Tennessee on the fourth raid, October 17th, and moved 
to the Tennessee River, where he took possession of Paris Landing and 
the old Fort Heiman, the two places being five miles apart. Here he 
placed batteries in ambush, and laid in wait for boats that were fre- 
quently passing on this highway of Federal communications. A 
number of boats were captured, among which were the Undine and the 
Venus. The Undine w^as one of the largest class of river ironclad 
gunboats, and had a fine battery of eight twenty-four pound howitzers. 
The Venus, having no armament, was speedily equipped, by placing on 
her the two twenty-pound Parrott guns, which had been so effectively 
used in capturing her. 

The Cavalry Afloat. — Crews were detailed for the "navy," among 
whom were a few men who had some experience In naval affairs — and 
now for commanders. Naturally, General Forrest turned to his chief 
of artillery. In all his campaigns, the hoy who commanded his artillery 
had been his right arm. Amiable and modest, that blushing stripling 
was the bravest of soldiers, and the most skillful of artillerists. The 
soldiers knew that he could handle artillery as boldly and as well as 
Forrest could handle cavalry. General Forrest, therefore, selected 
Capt. John W. Morton to command the fleet. Captain Morton replied : 
"General, I can handle your guns on land, but I am not familiar with 
naval fighting. I have, however, temporarily attached to my artillery, 
Capt. Frank P. Gracey, of Tennessee, a most efficient artillerist, and an 
experienced boatman." Accordingly, Captain Gracey was placed in 
command of the Undine. Lieut.-Col. W. A. Dawson was assigned to 
command the Venus. The fleet made a trial trip from Paris Landing 
to Fort Heiman, and returned, while the troops, assembled along the 
banks, gave vociferous cheers for "Forrest's Navy." 



Hood's Campaign. 229 

413. "Forrest's Navy" Destroyed. — It was now decided to move 
against Johnsonville, located on tlie Tennessee River at the crossing of 
the railroad, where the Federal commanders had established a depot of 
supplies, and had accumulated a vast quantity of military stores. As- 
cending the river, "The Navy" encountered a Federal fleet of gunboats. 
After a severe fight, both of Forrest's boats were disabled, and were 
destroyed by their crews, who escaped to the shore by swimming. 

414. Johnsonville. — Forrest now moved his artillery to points on 
the river bank opposite to Johnsonville. Here he destroyed the Federal 
fleet of gunboats, transports, and barges, and set on fire l:)y the hot shot 
from his artillery the large warehouses and vast piles of army stores, 
covered with tarpaulins and stacked along the shore. During the night 
the Confederate forces withdrew, and marched six miles by the light of 
the conflagration they had kindled. 

415. Forrest Retires to Join Hood. — The following day, Novem- 
ber 5th, General Forrest began his march to join General Hood for the 
approaching campaign in Middle Tennessee. In this expedition into 
West Tennessee, which occupied a little more than two weeks, General 
Forrest reports that he inflicted upon the enemy a loss of 500 men, 4 
gunboats, 14 transports, 20 barges, 26 pieces of artillery, $6,700,000 
worth of property. The Assistant Inspector General of the United 
States Army, having been sent to inspect and report on the destruction 
of property at Johnsonville, reports the money value of property 
destroyed at $2,200,000.^ 



CHAPTER XXXVIII. 

HOOD'S CAMPAIGN. 

416. The Confederate Army Reenters Tennessee. — The Atlanta 
campaign was ended. Gen. Joseph E. Johnston had been superseded by 
Gen. John B. Hood. Removing from the front of the Federal army. 
General Hood crossed the Tennessee River, November 21. 1864, ^^^ 
marched for Nashville. 

^Official Records, Serial Number yj, Forrest's Report, pp. 870-872; Ibid., 
Report of Assistant Inspector General, pp. 860-863 : Confederate History, Vol. 
VIII, Chapter XII ; Campaigns of Lieut.-General N. B. Forrest, especially 
Chapter XXII. 



230 History of Tennkssee. 

General Sherman, beginning his march to the sea, appointed Gen- 
eral Thomas to oppose the movement of Hood. The reports of De- 
cember loth showed the relative strength of the two armies: Confed- 
erate army, total effective, 33,393; Federal army, aggregate equipped, 

417. Battle of Franklin. — General Schofield was sent to oppose 
Hood's advance. After some skirmishing at Spring Hill, Schofield 
effected his retreat to Franklin, at which place General Hood attacked 
his strongly entrenched position, and was repulsed, with fearful slaugh- 




CONFEDERATE CEMETERY AT FrANKLIN. 

ter, November 30, 1864. During the night, Schofield fell back to 
Nashville. The Federal loss, as officially reported, was 2,326. The 
Confederate loss, as reported by General Hood, was 4.500." 

The Battle of Franklin was the most pathetic of the Tennessee 
battles. In the midst of homes and friends, with scarce time to receive 
from their parents the kiss of welcome after their protracted absence, 

^ Official Records, Serial Number 93, pp. 52-55, C62- 

^ Official Records, Serial Number 93, pp. 32-59, 652-663. 



A 



Hood's Campaign. 



231 



the flower of the Tennessee youth went into battle, full of ardor and 
resolution — many of them never to return. The fearful havoc in 
their ranks inflicted a pang in every household in Middle Tennessee. 

The public grief for the fall of the great leaders, Maj. Gen. Patrick 
Cleburne, Brigadier Generals Gist, John Adams, Strahl, and Granbury, 
was mingled with the private grief of parents and friends, who sought 
the bodies of less renowned but equally heroic soldiers. Friends of 
the wounded officers of rank, Maj. Gen. John C. Brown, Brigadier Gen- 
erals Carter, Manigault, Ouarles, Cockrill, and Scott, joined in anxious 
inquiries and ministrations wath the friends of the obscure but gallant 
privates. The people of the vicinity, Confederate and Union, organized 
themselves into a corps of relief. 

418. McGavock Cemetery. — Col. John McGavock, one of the 
noblest of men, on whose magnificent estate the battle was partly fought, 
not only made his house a hospital for the wounded, but also gathered 
the dead and interred them with decent obsequies in a beautiful site 
adjoining his family cemetery, and in his will, devised the ground to be 
forever dedicated as a Confederate Cemetery. In all these offices of 
mercy, he was aided and inspired by his wife. Here sleep the heroes 
of Franklin, honored and lamented by friend and foe, while McGavock 
Cemetery, their resting place, remains, likewise, a monument to John 
McGavock and his honored wife. 

419. Nashville. — Following the retreat of Schofield from Frank- 
lin, General Hood pursued him to the vicinity of Nashville, where he 
established his lines about two miles from the city, December 2d. 
Here, General Hood intrenched his position, and sent Forrest in com- 
mand of a force of cavalry and infantry to invest Murfreesboro, which 

was defended by a force of 8,000 men 
under General Rousseau. General Thom- 
as, in the meantime, liad accunuilated an 
overwhelming force 
at Nashville. De- 
cember 15th, he as- 
saulted the Confed- 
erate lines, and was 
repulsed. The next 
day, December i6th, 
he renewed the as- 
sault, and this time with success. The Confederate line was broken. 
General Hood retreated on the Franklin road. 




Fort Negley at Nashville. 



232 History op Tennessee. 

Lieut. Gen. Stephen D. Lee commanded the rear-guard, and held 
the enemy in check until the army reached Columbia. December i8th, 
Forrest, who had been recalled from the investment of Murfreesboro, 
arrived at Columbia. The gallant General Lee, while heroically pro- 
tecting the retreat of the army, had been severely wounded. The 
command of the rear now devolved on Forrest. 

With sad hearts, the soldiers resumed the march south. The 
Tennesseans passed by their homes, as they had done on previous 
retreats, but this time with the conviction that Tennessee was perma- 
nently abandoned. Yet, with few exceptions, they remained true to 
their colors. General Hood states in his report that the desertions 
were less than 300. On Christmas Day, the Tennessee River was 
reached, at Bainbridge. In two days the crossing was completed, and 
Tennessee was no longer a battleground. 

420. The War Ends. — The Confederate army retired to Tupelo, 
Mississippi. Lee's, Stewart's, and Cheatham's corps went to South 
Carolina. Under Johnston, they fought the despairing campaign until 
they were surrendered, April 27, 1865. 

A portion of the Tennessee infantry, and Forrest's cavalry, re- 
mained in the Mississippi Department. Forrest, now promoted to 
Lieutenant General, reorganized his command. All the Tennessee 
cavalry were organized into a division, which was placed under the 
command of Brigadier General William H. Jackson, who had borne an 
important part in all of Forrest's operations, and had performed many 
brilliant exploits. 

421. Surrender of the Last Troops East of the Mississippi River. — 
May 9, 1865, Gen. Richard Taylor surrendered the last troops east of 
the Mississippi River, in which were included Forrest's Cavalry. The 
terms of the surrender were liberal. Officers retained their horses and 
side arms. Soldiers retained their horses and private property. The 
several organizations were to return home under command of their own 
officers, and there to be disbanded, and were to be supplied with forage 
and rations on the way. 

422. The Paroles. — Gen. E. S. Dennis. Commissioner on the part 
of the United States, and Gen. W. H. Jackson, Commissioner on the 
part of the Confederate States, issued to each Confederate soldier a 
certificate of parole, and to each officer a written parole, in the following 
form: 

"I, the undersigned, prisoner of war, belonging to' the Army of the 
Department of Alabama, Mississippi, and East Louisiana, having been 





The Surrender. 233 

surrendered by Lieutenant General R. Taylor, Confederate States Army, 
commanding said department, to Major General E. R. S. Canby, United 
States Army, commanding Army and 
Division of West Mississippi, do hereby 
give my solemn parole of honor that 1 
will not hereafter serve in the armies of 
the Confederate States, or in any mili- 
tary capacity whatever, against the 
United States of America, or render 
aid to the enemies of the latter, until 
properly exchanged in such manner as 
shall be mutually approved by the 
respective authorities." 

This parole, signed by the paroled brig.-gen. William h. jack.son, 
officer, was approved and signed by the commissioner for c. s. a. 

two commissioners. The Commissioner for the United States appended 
the following: "The above-named officer will not be disturbed by 
United States authorities as long as he observes his parole, and the laws 
in force where he resides." 

Forrest's troops received their paroles at Gainesville, Alabama. 
Each regiment was mustered, and the command was given, "Ground 
arms." At the word, the tears and the muskets of the soldiers fell 
together to the ground. Thus disarmed, they began the homeward 
march. 

423. An Incident. — As the Tenth and Eleventh Tennessee Regi- 
ments, commanded by Col. D. W. Holman, marched towards the Ten- 
nessee River to met the transports which would convey them across, 
the men conversed anxiously as to their future prospects. Would they 
be permitted to live in peace? Would they be su1)jected to military 
rule, insult, and oppression? Sore and dejected, they drew near to a 
Federal camp, where they had been ordered to stop to draw supplies. 

The Federal soldiers could be seen assembled in long lines on both 
sides of the road to view "Forrest's Cavalry." Anticipating insult, 
they felt deeply their imarmed and helpless condition. It was not thus 
that they were accustomed to approach a Federal garrison. As they 
passed between the rows of Federal soldiers, a few camp followers, who 
had gathered in a group, noting the tattered dress and dejected de- 
meanor of the men, and the worn and bespattered condition of the 
horses, and not aware that the best blood of Tennessee flowed in the 
veins of those ragged men and those jaded horses, began a series of 



234 History of Tennessee;. 

taunts and jeers. The blood of the Confederates rushed to their faces. 
Spontaneously, they rose erect in their saddles, and instinctively their 
hands sought the places where their weapons used to be. But there 
was no need. 

The Federal soldiers, with one impulse, rose against the miscreants 
who had offered the insults, and silenced them in shame. They 
crowded around the Confederate column with outstretched hands and 
expressions of warmth and praise. All discipline was laid aside. The 
late foemen mingled as brothers, and parted with sentiments which only 
the brave can feel. This incident had a great effect upon the Confed- 
erate soldiers, and they continued the journey with revived spirits and 
brighter anticipations for the future. 



CHAPTER XXXIX. 

TENNESSEANS IN OTEIER STATES. 

424. In Mississippi. — When it Ijecanie necessary to defend the 
Mississippi River, some of the best Tennessee troops were assigned to 
that duty, although their services were badly needed at home. The 
brigade of Gen. John C. Vaughn did valiant service at Chickasaw 
Bayou. In the repulse of Sherman at that point, December 29, 1862, 
the able and distinguished commander of the Confederate forces, Gen. 
Stephen D. Lee, warmly testified that this brigade had contributed 
largely to his victory. Another brigade, under General Gregg, gained 
great distinction at Raymond, ]\Iay 12, 1863. The brigades of Gen. 
A. W. Reynolds, and of Gen. John C. Vaughn, rendered eminent service 
in the Vicksburg campaign. The First Tennessee Heavy Artillery, 
under Col. Andrew Jackson, Jr., sustained the brunt of the fight in the 
siege of Port Hudson, Louisiana. 

425. Tennessee Troops in Virginia. — In July, 1861, the brigade 
of Gen. Daniel S. Donelson, and the brigade of Gen. Samuel R. Ander- 
son, marched into Virginia, and served in the Cheat Mountain campaign 
under Gen. Robert E. Lee. Subsecjuently, Donelson's Brigade was 
sent into South Carolina, and Anderson's brigade, January I, 1862, 
became a part of the command of Stonewall Jackson, and served under 

,him with distinction. February 13th, the First Tennessee regiment, 
under Col. George Maney, was ordered to Tennessee. This regiment 



Tennesseans in Othkr States. 235 

became famous in the western army. After the promotion of Colonel 
Maney to Brigadier General, it was commanded by Col. Hume R. Field, 
who won the title of "the bravest of the brave." 

The remainder of the brigade, serving, successively, under General 
Anderson, Gen. Robert Hatton, Gen. J. J. Archer, Gen. H. H. Walker, 
and Gen. William McComb, participated in all the campaigns of the 
Army of Northern Virginia, and maintained a reputation second to 
that of no brigade which followed the great commander, Robert E. Lee. 
This brigade gained especial distinction in Pickett's famous charge at 
Gettysburg, and in the defense of "the angle," near Spottsylvania Court 
House. In this battle, Lieut. F. S. Harris, commanding the sharp- 
shooters, was commended for gallantry. 

The brigade, commanded by Gen. Bushrod R. Johnson, served with 
distinction in the Southwest, and was engaged in the battle of Chicka- 
mauga, and in the siege of Knoxville. Retiring with Longstreet into 
Virginia, this brigade subsequently participated in the battle of 
Drewry's Bluff, May t6, 1864. Li this battle, the brigade won for itself 
high reputation, and for its commander, promotion to the rank of Major 
General. 

The command devolved on Col. John S. Fulton. During the 
operations around Petersburg, a Tennessean, Lieut. F. M. Kelso, accom- 
plished one of the most remarkable feats of the war. With seventeen 
men, he made a bold movement, and captured a Federal force of over 
four hundred men, with the flags of three regiments. June 30th, 
Col. Fulton was killed, and the command devolved on Col. John M. 
Hughes. The brigade took conspicuous part in the famous battle of 
"the crater," July 30th. 

Early in 1865, all the Tennessee troops remaining with General 
Lee's army were united in one brigade under the command of Brigadier 
General William McComb. The consolidated Tennessee brigade was 
actively engaged in battle nearly every day, and bore an honorable part 
in the last battle of the Army of Northern Virginia. It was included 
in the troops surrendered by General Lee, at Appomattox Court House, 
April 9, 1865, having attained undying fame. 

Dibrell's brigade, formerly a part of "Forrest's Cavalry," serving 
with Wheeler after the Battle of Chickamauga, accompanied Gen. 
Joseph E. Johnston in the despairing campaign against Sherman. In 
this campaign. General Dibrell and Colonel Baxter Smith gained great 
reputation. 



236 History of Tennessek. 



CHAPTER XL. 

TENNESSEE'S RECORD IN THE WAR. 

426. The Volunteer State. — In the Confederate War, Tennessee 
fully maintained her title as the "Volunteer State." It was demon- 
strated that, though her people might be divided in sentiment, they 
were ready, on their respective sides, to fight for their principles through 
victory and defeat, in prosperity and in adversity. To the Confederate 
side, Tennessee furnished more than 115,000 volunteers. On the Fed- 
eral side, more than 31,000 volunteers were enlisted in Tennessee 
organizations, and more than 7,000 were enlisted in Kentucky organiza- 
tions, making a total of 153,000 troops in the two armies, furnished by 
Tennessee. 

It is impossible to determine with any accuracy the number of 
colored troops enlisted from Tennessee, for the reason that they were 
not formed into State organizations, but enlisted in the service of the 
United States direct, and no record was kept of their State residence. 
It is estimated that the enlistment of colored troops from Tennessee 
amounted to about 17,770.^ 

427. Battles in the State. — According to some authorities, 408 
battles were fought in the State. Others place the number at 296. 
Phisterer's Statistical Record enumerates 298 battles. The list given 
in Volume XII of the Confederate Military History, pp. 453 to 468, is 
compiled from official sources, and names each battle and skirmish, with 
location and date. This list enumerates 774 battles and skirmishes. 
The difference between the authorities arises from the different methods 
of counting. Some include small skirmishes which are not counted by 
others. All agree that the battles of Tennessee are next in number to 
the battles of Virginia. But the battles fought in their own State were 
not all in which Tennessee troops were engaged. 

428. Admiral David Glasgow Farragut, the illustrious hero of the 
Federal navy, was born in Knox County, Tennessee, July 5, 1801. His 
father, George Farragut, was a Spaniard of unmixed blood, whose 

^Confederate Military History, Vol. VIII — Tennessee — by James D. 
Porter, p. 254; Report of James P. Brownlow, Adjutant General, 1866, p. 9. 



Tennessee's Record in the War. 
FEDERAL MILITARY LEADERS. 



237 




Admiral David G. Farragut. 




Maj.-Gen. Samuel P. Carter. 




Maj.-Gkn. Alvan C. Gillem. 



r>>t'^ 



f:- 



C^^^. 




i ' 



\ 



Maj.-Gen. Joseph A. Cooper. 



238 



History op Tennessee. 

CONFEDERATE LEADERS.* 




Lieut.-Gen. a. p. Stewart. 




Lieut. -Gen. N. B. Forrest. 




(^ommodore 
Matthew F. Maurv. 




Maj.-Gen. B. F. Cheatham. 



Maj.-Gen. J. P. McCowN. 



•*The portraits of Maj.-Gens. John C. Brown and William B. Bate are at the heads of their 
respective administrations as Governors of Tennessee. 



Tennessee's Record in the War. 
confederate leaders. 



239 



|f^--?| 






%¥ 



MaJ.-GEN. 1). S. DONELSON. 




Maj.-Gen. C. M. Wilcox. 



Private Sam Davis. 



'*", 
^-^ 





Maj.-Gen. B. R. Johnson. 



Maj.-Gen. W. Y. C. Humes. 



240 History of Tennessee. 

ancestor, Don Pedro Farragnt, had been distinguished under King 
James I, of Arragon, in the wars against the Moors. George Farragut 
was born on the island of Minorca, September 29, 1755, which island 
had come under the dominion of Great Britain, and he thus became a 
British subject. He emigrated to America in March, 1776, and subse- 
quently became one of the Tennessee pioneers, and was commissioned 
as Major of the Cavalry Regiment of Washington District, by Governor 
Blount, November 3, 1790, and subsequently became an intimate friend 
of Gen. Andrew Jackson. David Farragut entered the United States 
Navy as a midshipman when only nine years old. He gained distinc- 
tion in the war of 1812, and subsequently, in a cruise under Commodore 
Porter, against the pirates. In 1855, he was commissioned captain in 
the navy. When the Civil War broke out, he was residing in Norfolk, 
Virginia. He took the part of the Union, and became the most famous 
of the commanders in the Federal navy. December 21, 1864, h^ was 
appointed \^ice- Admiral. July 25, 1866, he was appointed to the newly 
created office of Admiral. He died at Portsmouth, New Hampshire, 
August 14, 1870.- 

429. Federal Army Leaders. — The officers from Tennessee of high 
rank in the United States Arm}- were : 

Major Generals by Brevet — Samuel P. Carter. Alvan C. 
Gillem, Joseph A. Cooper. These officers held the regular rank of 
Brigadier General. In addition to these were the following: 

Brigadier Generals — Andrew Johnson, William B. Campbell, 
James G. Spears. 

Brigadier Generals by Bren'et — James P. Brownlow, George 
Spalding, William J. Smith. 

430. The Confederate Leaders. — The officers from Tennessee of 
high rank were : 

Lieutenant Generals — Alexander P. Stewart and Nathan 
Bedford Forrest. 

Major Generals — Benjamin Franklin Cheatham, John Porter 
McCown, Daniel S. Donelson, Cadmus M. Wilcox, William Brimage 
Bate, Bushrod R. Johnson, John Calvin Brown, W. Y. C. Humes. 

^ American Historical Magazine, Vol. II, p. 229 ; National Cyclopedia of 
American Biography, Vol. II, p. 97; Life of Admiral Farragut, by Capt. A. T. 
Mahon, U. S. Navy. 



T 



Tennesse;:s's Rkcord in tpie War. 



241 



[Note to Teachers. — The long list of Brigadier Generals includes some of 
the most honored names in Tennessee. It is given below for reference, and is 
placed in the text in preference to an appendix. The pupils should not be required 
to memorize the list.] 

BRIGADIER GENERALS. 

Robert Hatton.' 
Benjamin J. Hill. 
Alfred E. Jackson. 
William H. Jackson. 
William McComb. 
George Maney. 
Joseph B. Palmer. 
Gideon J. Pillow. 
Lucius E. Polk. 
William A. Quarles. 



James E. Rains." 
Preston Smith. 
Thomas Benton Smith. 
Oscar F. Strahl.' 
Robert C. Tyler." 
Alfred J. Vaughan. 
John C. Vaughn. 
Lucius M. W^ilker." 
Marcus J. Wright. 
Felix K. Zollicoffer.' 



John Adams. 
Samuel R. Anderson. 
Frank C. Armstrong. 
Tyree H. Bell. 
Alexander W. Campbell 
William H. Carroll. 
John C. Carter.^ 
H. B. Davidson. 
George G. Dibrell. 
John W. Frazer. 
George W. Gordon. 

431. The Confederate Privates. — History has not room on her 
page to record tlie names of the great body of soldiers. It has, how- 
ever, recorded that their heroism has never been surpassed in the annals 
of warfare, and it names a few, who, hke Forrest, rose from the ranks 
to high command, and a few others, who, Hke Sam Davis, displayed 
qualities which touched the world with sympathy and admiration. 

A few steps from the home of his boyhood, 
in Rutherford County, Tennessee, rest the remains 
of the gallant youth, whose tombstone bears the 
simple inscription here represented, but whose 
prouder epitaph is written on the brightest page 
of history. Condemned as a spy, offered liberty 
and rewards if he would betray the friend who 
furnished him information, he replied, "If I had 
a thousand lives, I would give them all before I 
would betray a friend." Calmly, withottt fear, 
without excitement, the noble boy met his fate. 
No friend was near to sustain his resolution, or to 
liear testimony to his heroism. The enemies who surrounded him were 
touched with pity and admiration, and have given the generous testi- 

^ Killed at Franklin. November 30, 1864. 

* Killed at Seven Pines, Va., May 31, 1862. 

° Killed at Murfreesboro, December 31, 1862. 

" Killed at Fort Tyler, Ga., April 16, 1865. , 

' Killed in duel, 1863. 

^ Killed at Fishing Creek, January 19, 1862. 




Born Oct. 6. 1842 
Died JVo«^2 7 1663 

2IYr» IMonth. 42IB«tfi 
He /ai.d dOrtrthisUjt 
Tot hi& Co«*«»ti-y 

iJlracrSoldier, « purer 

Pllriot, 4 JrtKtrmcn.-newc 
iiwcd. Ht Sixj^ercd a.jth 
cnthc ^litct rathtr* 
ttjt«yh[iiruna!» «nrtCou.ftt'j 



242 History of Tennessee. 

mony which places his name high on the roll of fame, as the hero of 
honor and duty, and the type of the Confederate soldier.'* 

432. Tennesseans in the Confederate Navy. — The most illustrious 
Tennessean in the Confederate navy was the world-renowned Matthew 
Fontaine Maury. A native of Virginia, he removed while yet a child 
to Tennessee. When nineteen years of age, he entered the navy from 
Tennessee. His reputation was gained before the war, and he was 
recognized as the greatest of naval scientists. At the beginning of the 
war, Commodore Maury resigned, and entered the Confederate navy, 
where his services were employed more in scientific construction than 
in battle. 

The following Tennesseans were graduates of the United States 
Naval Academy, served in the United States navy previous to the war, 
and subsequently became distinguished in the Confederate service : 

Lieutenants George W. Gift, John W. Dunnington, W. P. A. 
Campbell, Thomas Kennedy Porter, A.D.Wharton, George A. Howard, 
W. W. Carnes, Dabney Minor Scales. In addition to these, two other 
Tennesseans gained distinction as naval officers — Lieutenants Henry 
Melvil Doak and John F. Wheless. 



CHAPTER XLL 

RECONSTRUCTION. 

433. Steps to Organize Civil Government. — After the retreat of 
Hood's army, the most sanguine Confederate was convinced that Ten- 
nessee would never again be permanently occupied by Confederate 
troops, and many citizens of Confederate sympathy felt it to be their 
duty to cooperate in the restoration of civil government. Nothing now 
prevented Governor Johnson from resuming his measures of recon- 
struction. The Union convention, whose meeting had been postponed, 
reassembled January 9, 1865, at Nashville. This was a peculiar con- 
vention, originating from a party organization, and without any definite 
basis of representation. It proceeded, however, under the exigencies 
of the situation, to assume the work of reorganization. 

434, The Constitutional Amendments. — The convention proposed 

two amendments -to the Constitution of the State; the first, abolishing 

■ » 

^American Historical Magazine, Vol. IV, pp. 195-207, July, 1899. 



Reconstruction. 243 

slaven^, and the second, prohibiting the General Assembly from making 
laws recognizing the right of property in man. The schedule proposed 
repealed Section 31 of the Constitution, the Ordinance of Secession, 
and the League with the Confederate States, declared void all acts of the 
Harris government since May 6, 1861, ratified the acts of Governor 
Johnson, provided for an election February 22d, at which the people 
should vote on the ratification of the proposed amendments and 
schedule, and another election March 4th, for the choice of a Governor 
and General Assembly. A resolution was adopted, requiring all who 
voted on the amendments to take the "iron-clad oath." The elections 
were held. The amendments were ratified, and W. (i. LJrownlow was 
elected Governor. 

435. Governor Brownlow. — March 4th, the day of the election, 
Governor Johnson was inaugurated as 
Vice-President of the United States, and 
there was an interregnum in Tennessee. 
The Legislature assembled on the first 
Monday in x\pril, and unanimously rati- 
fied the thirteenth amendment to the 
Federal Constitution. Governor Brown- 
low was inaugurated April 5th, and 
Tennessee was again under civil govern- 
ment. The paroled Confederate soldiers 
now returned home, and, if allowed to 
vote, would soon be the controlling 

'^ Gov. W. G. Brownlow, 

factor in the State government. 

436. The Factions of the TJnion Party. — The Confederate soldiers, 
dejected and disfranchised, showed at first but little disposition to 
mingle in politics. Governor Brownlow and the Radical majority in 
the Legislature, however, seemed to apprehend danger from them. A 
series of enactments speedily followed, which were strongly opposed by 
the Conservative wing of the I'uion party, and which led to sentiments 
of animosity more bitter than the feelings engendered by the war. 
Happily, these feelings have passed away. ^Mutual confidence and 
kindly sentiment have taken the place of anger and distrust. Not par- 
ticipating in the passions of that day, we can not, if we would, omit the 
recital of this painful period of our history. Reason and justice pointed 
out, in 1865, the true lesson which experience demonstrated later : — that 
conciliation was the logical and necessarv result. Had the parties of 
that day been able to look into the future as clearly as we can look back 




244 History of Tennessee. 

upon the past, much irritation, anxiety, and conflict would have been 
saved to the people of the State. But it required the assuaging hand 
of time to still the passions, and the logic of events to reach the con- 
clusion. 

437. Legislation. — The Legislature was in session when President 
Lincoln was assassinated, April 14th. This deplorable event exas- 
perated the Union men and strengthened the Radical wing. At the 
same time, it deprived the Confederates of a powerful and magnanimous 
friend. The Legislature proceeded at once to pass severe laws. One 
of these laws practically disfranchised all persons except those who had 
always been unconditional L'nion men. 

Another law prescribed penalties for any person who should be 
convicted of uttering any seditious word or speech or writing against 
the State or Federal government. Another law empowered the sheriff 
of each county to establish a patrol of twenty-five men, and to summon, 
as a posse, an unlimited number of loyal men. A reward of $5,000 
was offered for the apprehension of Governor Harris. Among many 
remarkable bills offered, but which failed to pass, was a bill to require 
women to take an oath of allegiance to the United States, before they 
could obtain marriage license. Governor Brownlow followed these 
legislative enactments by a series of proclamations, which aroused the 
indignation of the Confederate sympathizers. 

438. The Second Session of the Legislature. — The second session 
of the Legislature was stormy. The breach between the two wings 
had passed beyond the stage of reconciliation. The Radicals proposed 
an amended franchise bill, which would exclude from voting, not only 
Confederate sympathizers, but many Union men. The Conservatives 
opposed this bill at every stage of progress, and delayed its passage by 
a bold strategem. Twenty-one members resigned, and thus broke the 
quorum. An election was held to fill the vacancies, a quorum was 
declared, and the bill became a law, May 3, 1866. Just before its pass- 
age. May 1st, a serious riot occurred in Memphis between the whites 
and blacks. This led to the passage of the Metropolitan Police law, 
May 14th. While intended for Memphis, this law, also, applied to 
Nashville and Chattanooga. Not only restrictive laws, but unnecessary 
and irritating resolutions were passed, among others, a resolution that 
"Jefferson Davis and his accomplices have justly forfeited their lives." 
The Legislature adjourned May 28th. At the extra' session of this 
Legislature, July, 1866, the question of quorum was renewed. Mr. 
Williams, of Carter County, was arrested and confined in the Capitol. 



Reconstruction. 245 

Upon application to Judge Frazier, Williams was ordered to be released, 
upon habeas corpus. The Legislature refused to acknowledge the 
authority of the Court, and Williams was held in arrest and counted 
present. Subsequently, Judge Frazier was impeached for his action, 
and convicted. Later, when the Conservatives came into power, the 
disabilities of Judge Frazier were removed. The Fourteenth amend- 
ment to the Federal Constitution was ratified and a resolution was 
passed petitioning Congress for the admission of Tennessee into the 
Union. 

439. Tennessee Admitted to the TJnion. — July 23, 1866, Andrew 
Johnson, Tresident of the United States, had the satisfaction to sign 
the bill which had passed both houses of Congress, readmitting Tennes- 
see into the Union. The restoration of Tennessee had been the cher- 
ished object of his ambition during his administration as Military 
Governor. It was reserved to crown his Presidential administration. 

440. Relations of Tennessee to the TJnion. — From its earliest 
history, the relations of Tennessee to the Union have been peculiar. 
Her earliest settlers founded independent governments in the wilder- 
ness, with no State or Federal connections, until North Carolina asserted 
jurisdiction, on the petition of the independent settlers. When ceded 
by North Carolina to the United States, in 1790, her people furnished 
the only instance of any large body of people who were reduced from 
the condition of citizens of a State to that of inhabitants of a Territory. 
She was the first State formed from Federal Territory. She abrogated 
her territorial government, and performed all the functions of statehood, 
nearly three months before receiving the consent of Congress. She 
was the last of the Confederate States to secede, and the first to be 
readmitted. 

Her relations to slavery Were peculiar. She was the only one of 
the seceded States to abolish slavery by her own act. The Cession Act 
of North Carolina provided, "that no regulations made or to be made 
by Congress shall tend to emancipate slaves." In accepting the cession, 
the United States was bound by this condition. Whether this consid- 
eration influenced President Lincoln in issuing his Emancipation Proc- 
lamation, does not seem to be positively known. The fact is, however, 
that Tennessee is not named in the Proclamation. 

From the beginning of the slavery agitation, there was a strong 
abolition party in Tennessee. Many petitions were presented to the 
Legislature and bills looking to emancipation were ofifered and debated. 
April 30, 1820, the Emancipator, the first abolition journal in the United 



246 History of Tennessee. 

States, was published by Elihii Embree, at Jonesboro. Slavery was 
abolished in Tennessee by the vote of the people, February 22, 1865, 
ratifying the amendments to the State Constitution, which amendments 
were re-ordained in the Constitution of 1870. 

441. Bitterness Increases. — Tennessee was now again a State of 
the Union, but its reconstruction was not complete. Far-seeing states- 
men knew that no government in this country could rest on a stable 
foundation as long as a majority of its people are disfranchised. The 
contest over the elective franchise was yet to come, and was the most 
bitter of all the contests. 

The Legislature assembled November 5, 1866, and continued in 
session until March 11, 1867. At this session was passed an act which 
was wise and patriotic, and which reflects honor upon its framers. This 
was the Act for the Maintenance of Common Schools. This was the 
only wise act of this partisan Legislature. 

The Oinnibus bill, "to issue State bonds to railroads," largely 
increased the public debt, and led to disastrous results. The act to 
"disfranchise all who had fought on the Confederate side during the 
Civil War of the Rebellion," was but a continuation of the former policy. 
The act to confer on negroes the right of suffrage was expected, and 
was but a logical sequence of the Fourteenth amendment, soon to be 
enforced by the adoption of the Fifteenth amendment. The act which 
caused the Confederates the most profound alarm and irritation was the 
act which became known as "Brownlow's Militia Law." 

Under the militia law. Governor Brownlow organized a body of 
troops, designated as the "State Guard," composed largely of negroes, 
and subject to the orders of the Governor, to be used in such manner 
as he might think necessary. The purpose of the Radical party was 
plainly demonstrated — the permanent disfranchisement of the Con- 
federates. 

442. Governor Brownlow's Second Administration. — Hon. 
Emerson Etheridge was nominated by the Conservative Union party, 
in a convention held at Nashville, April 16, 1867, as a candidate for 
Governor against Brownlow. When Governor Brownlow issued his 
proclamation, July ist, giving notice that the State Guard would be 
stationed in "rebellious localities to enforce the franchise law," the 
Conservatives withdrew their candidate, and Brownlow was reelected 
by 50,000 majority. 

443. Secret Orders. — Public sentiment had now reached a point in 
which partisans on either side were incensed to a degree which led to 



Reconstruction. 247 

mutual recrimination and to some acts of violence. Two remarkable 
organizations came prominently into notice. Such organizations could 
exist only in times of disorder and mutual distrust. Both, claiming 
to be originally social orders, were converted into partisan organiza- 
tions. 

444. The Loyal League. — This order was composed mainly of 
negroes. It was a secret, oath-bound association. Whatever may 
have been its origin, it became a partisan Union organization. The 
negroes, by disposition, arc, undoubtedly, the most docile of all the 
races, and would never originate any widely diffused order for purposes 
of cruelty and violence. The white people of the South had for many 
years been intimately associated with the negro, and knew his character- 
istics. Since the emancipation, however, the old ties had been broken, 
and the negroes had formed new associations. It was charged that 
they were led by designing white men. This association was popularly 
regarded as a menace to the safety of society. While the mass of the 
negroes were undoubtedly peaceful, yet a few of them were guilty of 
outrages, and these outrages, exaggerated by rumor, were attributed to 
the Loyal League. 

445. The Origin of the Ku Klux Klan. — • This society was formed 
in Pulaski in the summer of 1866. It was organized by young men 
who had returned from the Confederate army, and was intended for the 
amusement afforded by initiating novices with grotesque and mysterious 
ceremonies. Its place of meeting, in an old residence which had been 
dismantled by a storm, and was regarded by the negroes as haunted, 
first brought it into notice. Its peculiar name and fantastic costumes, 
together with the secrecy and mystery of its movements, excited curi- 
osity and impressed the negroes with awe. 

A local incident served to change the character of the Ku Klux Klan, 
An old negro, living near Pulaski, was accused of petty offenses. The 
Klan visited his house at night, and summoning him to the door, one of 
the disguised visitors requested a drink of water. A gourd was pre- 
sented him, which the visitor declined, stating that he was very thirsty, 
and desired the bucket. When this w^as handed him, he drained it to 
the bottom, appearing to drink, but really pouring the water into a 
false mouth hidden under his mask, and connected with a large bag 
concealed about his person. After emptying several buckets, he re- 
marked that it was his first good drink since he was killed at Murfrees- 
boro. After other similar feats, the Grand Cyclops whistled, and one 
of the visitors desired to shake hands before leaving. The old negro 



248 History of Tennessee;. 

extended his hand and grasped, in return, a skeleton hand. Thoroughly 
alarmed, he drew back in terror. The Grand Cyclops then recounted 
to him a list of his peccadillos, and warned him to desist, promising to 
visit him again on his return from the cemetery at Franklin. This 
admonition had a happy effect, and the joke was too good to be kept 
secret. The hint was taken up, and Klans were formed in neighboring 
towns. The Ku Klux spread rapidly over Tennessee and other Southern 
States. Thus, the Ku Klux were drawn into their dangerous partisan 
career. 

446. The Ku Klux Organize. — The gradual development of the 
Ku Klux into a band of regulators was unpremeditated and irregular, 
but the time had arrived when they determined to adopt an effective 
organization. In the summer of 1867, they met in secret convention in 
Nashville, in the midst of hostile State and Federal authorities. Yet, 
they so adroitly conducted their meeting as to avoid detection, or even 
suspicion. At this convention, a written constitution, designated as 
"the prescript," was formulated, secretly printed, and distributed 
through the Klan. This prescript established a secret, oath-bound 
organization, sworn to obey the orders of the chief officer, designated 
the "Grand Wizard." The Ku Klux Klan now became avowedly a 
partisan organization. Still preserving its mystery and disguise, its 
officers issued public addresses in the newspapers, and the Klan made 
public parades in the open day, and seemed to court publicity for its 
operations, but skillfully concealed the identity of its members. 

Their skill in avoiding detection was exemplified in the famous 
parade at Pulaski on the night of July 4, 1867. Public notice had been 
given in the newspapers and by circulars that the Ku Klux Klan would 
parade in force on that night. An immense crowd of citizens gathered 
to witness the mysterious demonstration. The enemies of the Klan 
thought this a favorable opportunity to detect the participants. De- 
tectives were placed along the roads leading into the city to discover the 
points of gathering, and to note those who went to the places of roidcc- 
vous, also to follow them after the parade to the points of dispersing. 
Not a gathering place was discovered, and not a man was traced to the 
rendezvous. Suddenly skyrockets were sent up on all the roads leading 
into town. Detachments of mounted men, fully organized, disguised 
by light-colored masks, and enveloped in flowing gowns of flashy hues, 
in which red was the predominating color, rode into the town and met 
on the public square. 

The detectives who had l)ccn stationed on the streets to note what 
young men of the town were absent, were equally unfortunate. All 



Reconstruction, 



249 



the young men, and especially those who were suspected, were conspic- 
uous on the streets, seemingly intent on solving this Ku Klux mystery. 

At the head of the long procession rode the leader, who appeared 
to be immensely tall. He wore a high, conical-shaped hat, near the top 
of which gleamed a flashing light, which looked like an eye. Not a 
weapon of any kind was visible. Orders were communicated by shrill 
whistles. Absolute and solemn silence was preserved, which was 
broken only once during the parade. 

A prominent Union man, well known for his denunciations of the 
Klan, took post on the public square for the purpose of recognizing the 
horses. It was said that he knew every horse in the county. But the 




horses were as completely disguised as the men. He had failed to 
identify a single horse, when suddenly one of the Ku Klux equestrians 
rode up to the place where he was standing, addressed him by name, 
and asked, "Do you know the horse that I am riding?" "No, sir." was 
the reply, (ireat was his surprise, when the Ku Klux cavalier, dismount- 
ing, threw oiT the disguise from the horse and disclosed to the astounded 
investigator his oivn horse, which he had ridden to town about two 
hours before. Then every whistle was sounded in the long Ku Klux 
line. Unearthly laughter, shrieks, and demoniac yells rent the air. 



250 History op Tennesse;^. 

Before the astonished Union man could recover from his bewilderment, 
the Ku Klux rider had remounted and disappeared. Hurrying to the 
place where he had left his horse, he received a second surprise to find 
him standing quietly in the stable where he had fastened him. 

After parading through the principal streets, the Klans dispersed 
as mysteriously as they had gathered, and not a trace could be found of 
"whither they went." 

447. Anti-Ku Klux Law. — July, 1868, Governor Brownlow called 
the Legislature in extra session, stating in the call, "Rebellious elements 
in the State are secretly assuming and perfecting a military organiza- 
tion, known as the Ku Klux Klan, with an eye to overthrow the State 
government." The Legislature enacted a law making membership, or 
participation with the Ku Klux, a felony, punishable by fine and impris- 
onment. The Governor was empowered to reorganize and increase the 
State Guard, and to declare martial law in any county, at his discretion. 
Governor Brownlow promptly declared martial law in several counties, 
and instituted every agency in his power to suppress the Ku Klux, and to 
detect and punish its members. Yet, so secretly were its affairs con- 
ducted, that no member of the order was ever convicted in Tennessee.^ 
February 20, 1869, Governor Brownlow, having been elected United 
States Senator, resigned as Governor, and Hon. D. W. C. Senter, 
Speaker of the Senate, became Governor of Tennessee. 



CHAPTER XLH. 
SENTER'S ADMINISTRATION. 

448. The Ku Klux Disband. — Governor Senter adopted a more 
liberal policy than his predecessor. Among the first fruits of his ad- 
ministration was the disbandment of the Ku Klux Klan, and the restora- 
tion of public confidence in law and order. In March, 1869, the Grand 
Wizard issued his edict, terminating the existence of the Klan. This 
edict recited that the Klan had accomplished the purposes for which it 
was instituted, that it had afforded protection to many firesides, when 
all the better elements of society were in dread for the safety of their 
property, persons, and families; that the time had now arrived when 
the services of the Klan were no longer needed. They were ordered, 
therefore, to burn all regalia, and evidences of their existence, and to 

^Wilson and Lester's "Ku Klux Klan"; Report of Investigating Committee 
of Congress; Report of Investigating Committee of Tennessee Legislature. 




Sentkr's Administration. 251 

quietly disband. This edict terminated the existence of the Klan. 

Says the historian: "Thus hved, so died, this strange order. Its birth 

was an accident ; its growth a comedy ; its 

death a tragedy. There never was, before 

or since, a period of our history when such 

an order could have lived. May there 

never be again." 

449. Irritation Allayed. — /\lthough 
the organized existence of theKuKlux was 
terminated in 1869, yet its name continued 
to be used by unknown organizations, and 
"Ku Klux outrages" were reported in the 
newspapers as late as 1872. Simulta- 
neous with the disbandment of theKuKlux q^^, ^^ ^^, ^ senter 
was the disappearance of demonstrations 

from the Loyal League, and soon afterwards came the dismissal of the 
"State Guard." 

450. Governor Senter Reelected. — In 1869, Governor Senter was 
a candidate for reelection. He was opposed by Col. W. B. Stokes. 
The Republican convention failing to agree, the Radical wing nominated 
Stokes, and the Conservative wing nominated Senter. The Confed- 
erates tendered their support to Governor Senter, if they should be 
allowed to vote. This privilege was granted, and Senter was elected by 
the largest majority ever given a candidate for governor. 

451. A Democratic Legislature. — Thus, the Confederate element, 
led by Gen. John C. Brown, regained control of the State. The Legis- 
lature met October 4, 1869, and was Democratic in both branches. 
Steps were taken to undo so much of the legislation of recent years as 
was especially obnoxious to the Conservatives and Democrats. 

The most important act of this Legislature was the "Act to 
authorize the people to call a convention." It was expressly provided, 
"that every male person not convicted and rendered infamous for crime, 
of the'age of twenty-one years, being a citizen of the United States, and 
of the county where he may offer his vote," shall be allowed to vote ; 
"and no certificate or other qualification than the foregoing, shall be 
required by the judges holding said election." The elective franchise 
was restored, so far as the Legislature could restore it. The rest must 
be done by a new Constitution. The election resulted in a majority of 
40,500 in favor of holding a convention. 

452. The Constitutional Convention of 1870. — This distinguished 
body convened at Nashville, January 10, 1870. It was recognized 



252 ♦ History op Tknnkssee. 

throughout the State that this convention had a solemn and delicate duty 
to perform. It was the purpose of the people to select the wisest and 
best men. Among the members were many venerable patriots, who 
came from retirement to serve their country in this crisis. There was, 
also, among its members a younger class of vigorous men, on whose 
wisdom and firmness the State was beginning to rely. Altogether, it 
was one of the most distinguished bodies that ever assembled in Ten- 
nessee. The convention was called to order by the distinguished jurist 
and future Chief 'Justice, Hon. A. O. P. Nicholson, who was present as 
delegate from the counties of Williamson, Maury, and Lewis. On the 
motion of Mr. Nicholson, Mr. Boiling Gordon, of Hickman County, the 
only delegate who had been a member of the Constitutional Convention 
of 1834, was made temporary president. Hon. John C. Brown, ^ dele- 
gate from the counties of Lincoln, Marshall, and Giles, was unanimously 
elected permanent president, an office which only two other citizens 
have held. 

The distinguished citizen who was elected to this responsible posi- 
tion belonged to the younger class of members, and had risen to promi- 
nence during the Civil War, at the close of which he held the rank of 
Major General in the Confederate army. He was a brother of Hon. 
Neill S. Brown, one of the delegates of Davidson County, and formerly 
Governor of the State. He was a typical soldier, and had acquired a 
high reputation for bravery and military ability. Since the close of 
the war, he had devoted himself to the practice of the law, and had risen 
to the head of his profession in the State. He was universally admired 
and beloved. 

453. Accepting the Issues of the War. — The temper of the Con- 
vention was admirable, its wisdom was salutory, and its patriotism was 
exemplary. It was a Democratic body, of which the Confederates were 
the dominant factor. Its real object is so clearly stated by Hon. 
Joshua W. Caldwell, in his "Constitutional History of Tennessee," that 
his words are here quoted : "The truth is, that the convention was a 
political expedient, designed to restore to citizenship and to the mastery 
of afl^airs, the majority of the white voters of the State, who had been 
disfranchised by the minority party which the war had placed in 
power." 

^ See "Journal of Proceedings of the Convention of Delegates, Elected by 
the People of Tennessee, to Amend, Revise, or Form and Make a New Constitu- 
tion for the State, Assembled in the City of Nashville, January 10, 1870." 



Sentkr's Administration. 253 

The Democrats, also, had another distinct purpose in view — to 
accept, by their own act, the results of the war. These purposes were 
accomplished firmly and quietly, with no efl:'ort at recrimination or 
retaliation. A single instance will serve for illustration. The Demo- 
crats had maintained that the amendments to the State Constitution in 
1865, were not legally adopted, because the convention which framed 
them was not a legal convention, and the election which ratified them 
was not a legal election. Vindictive partisanship and party pride would 
have prompted them to repudiate and repeal these amendments. Wis- 
dom and patriotism suggested a different course. The issue was 
avoided, by ignoring the question of the validity of the amendments. 
It was decided to frame an entirely new Constitution. This plan 
afforded the opportunity to accept the issues of the war, as an act of the 
Democrats. 

Surrendering the convictions of a lifetime, they incorporated into 
the new Constitution the substance of the Brownlow amendments, and 
even went further. They applied to Tennessee the substance of the 
Fifteenth amendment to the Federal Constitution nearly two months 
before the amendment was ratified and proclaimed. Thus, the issues 
of the war were accepted : First, by ordaining the abolition of slavery ; 
second, by prohibiting the Legislature from enacting hereafter anv law 
recognizing the right of property in man ; third, by so extending the 
elective franchise as to include negroes. 

454. Restrictive Provisions. — The convention next turned its 
attention to the construction of constitutional bulwarks to prevent the 
recurrence of legislation which w^as obnoxious to the ideas of the Con- 
servatives and Democrats. 

First, the right to hold office and to vote was secured to every male 
citizen of the State over twenty-one years of age, who had the proper 
qualifications of residence, etc. Political tests were prohibited, except 
an oath to support the Constitution of the United States, and of the 
State, as a qualification for office. Second, according to Democratic 
ideas, the prerogatives of the governor were too great, and had been 
used during the early periods of reconstruction to an extent which was 
dangerous to liberty. Provisions were, therefore, made wh"ch restricted 
the governor's powers. Among other provisions, he was prohibited 
from calling out the militia imless authorized to do so by the Legislature. 
Li this, the convention went too far, as was demonstrated later, in the 
insurrection of the miners. Third, the large increase in the public debt, 
made during the "Reconstruction Period," had so much alarmed the 



254 



History of Tennessee. 



people as to cause a revulsion of sentiment towards loaning the credit of 
the State for any purpose. Thus, the long-continued policy of aiding 
internal improvements was brought to an abrupt termination by the fol- 
lowing constitutional prohibition : 

"The credit of this State shall not be hereafter loaned or given to 
or in aid of any person, association, company, corporation, or munici- 
pality ; nor shall the State become the owner, in whole or in part, of any 
bank, or a stockholder with others in any association, company, corpora- 
tion, or municipality." 

The balance of the Constitution consists mainly of a revision of the 
Constitution of 1834, with a few changes of greater or less importance, 
which may be traced in the annotations of the Constitution in the 
Appendix to this book. 

455. The Constitution Goes into Effect. — The Constitution was 
ratified by the people, March 26, 1870, by a vote of 98,128 to 33.872. 
May 9th, the Legislature met for the purpose of enacting the legislation 
necessary to carry the provisions of the Constitution into effect. Stat- 
utes were passed, defining the qualifications of voters, providing for 
elections, re-districting the State, etc. 

At this session, a very injudicious law was passed, in reference to 
the public schools. The law of 1867 was unpopular in many parts of 
the State, and was known as the "Brownlow School Law." This law 
was repealed, and the maintenance of the schools was remitted to the 
several counties. 

A third session of this General Assembly 
met December 5, 1870. Its time was de- 
voted to the investigation of the condition 
of the State debt, and alleged frauds in con- 
nection with railroad and school funds. In 
the latter part of Senter's administration, he 
complained of renewed Kuklux outrages, 
and applied to the Legislature for power to 
suppress them. This being refused, an 
effort was made to induce Congress to re- 
construct the State. This movement, like- 
wise, failed. 

At the judicial elections, held in August, 
1870, the Judges of the Supreme Court were 
elected. Of this court, the distinguished jurist and former Senator, 
Hon. Alfred O. P. Nicholson, was made Chief Justice. 




Chief Justice 
Alfred O. P. Nicholson. 



I 



Internal Improvements. 255 



CHAPTER XLIIL 

THE CONSTITUTION OF 1870 PROHIBITS STATE AID TO 
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS. 

456. Origin of the Public Debt. — Before entering- on the narration 
of the Democratic administrations which followed upon the adoption of 
the Constitution of 1870, it is well to sketch briefly the history of the 
Internal Improvements which had been fostered by the State, and for 
whose benefit the public debt was incurred, and which had, in turn, been 
a most important factor in promoting wealth and prosperity. The 
policy of aiding these improvements had been pursued imperfectly and 
irregularly from the early history of the State, but had l^een more sys- 
tematic and efficient during the thirty-six years preceding the Constitu- 
tion of 1870. 

457. Public Roads. — The Constitution of 1834 enjoined upon the 
General Assembly the duty of encouraging a well-regulated system of 
internal improvements. The improvements which have received aid 
from the State are: (i) Public roads, (2) navigable waters, (3) turn- 
pikes, and (4) railroads. Early in its history, the State had encouraged 
the investment of individual capital and enterprise in opening and 
clearing out public roads from one important settlement to another. 
Such, for instance, was the old Walton road, extending from Southwest 
Point, on the Clinch River, through the Indian reservation called the 
Wilderness to the Cumberland River, at the mouth of Caney Fork, 
where Carthage now stands.^ 

In order to encourage an association of citizens to open and keep 
this road in repair, the Legislature, in t8oi, required the governor to 
incorporate them under the style of the Cumberland Turnpike Company, 
with authority to collect tolls from the traveling public. This was the 
first charter of incorporation for individual profit granted by the State. 

458. River Navigation. — After establishing a primitive system of 
public roads, the State undertook to improve transportation by removing 
obstructions from her rivers and extending her system of water navi- 
gation. Two especially bold enterprises were projected. One was 



^ Life of Jefferson Dillard Goodpasture, p. 11. 



256 ^ History of TknnessbS. 

a scheme of Governor McMinn to unite the waters of the Tennessee and 
Mobile rivers, b}- means of a canal eleven miles in length, from the 
Hiwassee to the Connasauga, the latter being the only stream in the 
State whose waters reach the Gulf of Mexico without passing through 
the Mississippi River. The other was a plan advocated by Governor 
Cannon, in 1835, to save about four hundred miles in steamboat navi- 
gation by making a direct connection between the Tennessee and Missis- 
sippi Rivers, by means of a canal some thirty miles long, from the Ten- 
nessee to the head of navigation of the Big Hatchie. Commissioners 
had this route surveyed and reported to Governor Turney as late as 
1893. Such were the improvements contemplated by the Legislature 
when, under the inspiration of the recent completion of the great New 
York and Pennsylvania canals, it passed the internal improvement act 
of 1829. Nothing of importance, however, was ever accomplished in 
the way of improving the water transportation of the State. 

459. Turnpikes. — The invention of the macadam system of road- 
making gave a new direction to the improvement of transportation in 
the State. As early as 1829, the Legislature chartered the Franklin 
Turnpike Company, the first of a number of turnpikes incorporated that 
session. At the same time it declared the State contemplated making a 
turnpike on the macadam plan, from the Virginia line to the Mississippi 
River, provided she could obtain the adequate funds, part of which she 
hoped would l)e subscribed by the General Government.- In 1831, the 
Legislature authorized the investment of public school and academy 
funds as well as the internal improvement funds of the several counties 
in the stock of turnpike companies. Li this way, the Nashville, Mur- 
freesboro and Shelbyville Turnpike Company received more than 
$50,000 of public funds. Under the internal improvement acts of 
1835-36 and 1837-38, macadamized, graded and sanded turnpikes 
received $1,402,000 of State bonds. 

460. Public Attention Turned to Railroads. — In 1831, the people 
of Tennessee undertook the promotion of railroad construction with the 
greatest enthusiasm. In August, a convention was held at Abingdon 
for the purpose of considering the construction of a railroad from 
Lynchburg to Knoxville. In December, Gen. Richard G. Dunlap, 
Chairman of the House Committee on Internal Improvement reported 
favorablv on the bill presented to the Legislature by the Abingdon con- 
vention. At the same session, the Memphis Railroad Company is said 

^Resolution No. 21, Private Acts of 1829, p. 299. 



Intkrnai, Improveme;nts. 257 

to have been chartered;^ if so, it was the first raih-oad incorporated in 
Tennessee. 

461. The Act of 1835-36.— The Legislature, in 1835-36, adopted 
a general plan of internal improvements. The objects to be encouraged 
were macadamized turnpikes, and railroad. When two-thirds of the 
capital stock of any such corporation was subscribed for by private 
parties, the State agreed to take the remaining one-third, and pay for 
the same in five-and-a-quarter per cent bonds. The only railroad that 
received State aid under this act was the Lagrange and Memphis. This 
road was never completed. 

462. The Act of 1837-38. — In 1837-38, an act was passed increas- 
ing the proportion of stock to be taken by the State to one-half, but 
limiting her total liability to $4,000,000. It was at this time that the 
fourth Bank of Tennessee, the greatest banking institution ever con- 
ducted in the State, was chartered, its purpose being "to raise a fund 
for internal improvements, and to aid in a system of education." 

463. First Railroad Construction. — Through the influence of 
Senator James H. Reagan, of McMinn County, afterwards a dis- 
tinguished citizen of Texas, the Legislature granted a charter of incor- 
poration to the Hiwassee Railroad Company, in 1836, for the purpose 
of constructing a railroad from Knoxville, through the Hiwassee dis- 
trict, to the southern boundary of the State. The road was surveyed 
and ground broken in 1837, being the first work ever done on a railroad 
in this State. In 1848, the charter was amended and the name of the 
corporation changed to the East Tennessee and Georgia Railroad Com- 
pany. The road was not completed until 1856. 

Two years iater, the East Tennessee and Virginia Railroad, from 
Knoxville to Bristol, was completed. The two now form the magnifi- 
cent trunk line from Bristol to Chattanooga, known as the East Ten- 
nessee, Virginia and Georgia Railroad. The Hiwassee road was 
twenty years in building. 

In the meantime, largely through the influence of Dr. James Over- 
ton, afterwards known as "Old Chattanooga," the Nashville and Chat- 
tanooga Railroad was chartered, in 1845. Under the successful 
management of Vernon K. Stevenson, its president, it was completed 
in 1853, and was the first railroad operated in Tennessee. 

464. Internal Improvement Receives a Temporary Check. — In 
1840. all laws authorizing the State to take stock in internal improve- 

^ Phelan's History of Tennessee, p. 284. 



258 History of Tennessee;. 

ment companies were repealed, and the question of completing- the 
work already begun was referred to a board of special commissioners, 
named for that purpose. In all cases of applications for State bonds in 
payment of the State subscription, after the passage of that act, the 
affairs of the companies making such application were subjected to a 
searching scrutiny, and if they had not conformed to the law, aid was 
denied, and the Attorney General filed bills to forfeit their charters. In 
this way, the State was saved a large increase in her indebtedness, and 
the corporations already aided put on a safer footing.* 

465. The Act of 1852. — In 1848, an act was passed by which the 
State was to assume only a secondary liability as endorser of the mort- 
gage bonds of the railroad companies. This proving unsatisfactory, 
the act of 1849-50 was passed, providing that the State should issue its 
own bonds to the company, and take title to the road to secure their 
payment. But this act was not sufficiently guarded. 

Finally, the act of 1852 was passed, under which almost the entire 
State aid to railroads was granted. Under this act, when any railroad 
company with a bona fide subscription sufficient to grade, bridge, and 
prepare the whole extent of its main line for the iron rails, had prepared 
a certain extent of its roadbed, it was entitled to receive $8,000 of the 
six-per-cent bonds of the State, to be used in ironing and equipping the 
road. These bonds were to have the force and effect of a first lien or 
mortgage on the road, its franchises and equipment. Under this act, 
with its subsequent amendments, about $14,000,000 of bonds were 
issued, prior to the Civil War, making the total issue to railroads up to 
that time about $15,000,000. 

466. The End of State Aid to Internal Improvement Companies. — 
The Civil War produced great irritation in the conduct of public affairs. 
The Reconstruction Period was disastrous not only in fomenting sec- 
tional animosity, but also in adding largely to the public debt of the 
State. From April, 1866, to December, 1868, more than $14,000,000 
of bonds were issued under the acts of 1852 and 1854. The State 
debt at the beginning of the war was $20,363,406.69. The Brownlow 
administration, just after the war, increased it, altogether, about 
$21,500,000. This made a total indebtedness of $41,863,406.69, at a 
time when the State was least able to pay, the assessed value of her 
taxable property having shrunk from $389,000,000, in i860, to $225,- 

■"Message of the Governor of Tennessee to the Twenty-Fourth General 
Assembly of the State, Nashville, 1841. 



Internal Improvements. 259 

000,000, in 1867. When the Constitutional Convention met in 1870, it 
concluded the long chapter of internal improvement legislation by the 
provision heretofore cited, which prohibited the General Assembly from 
loaning the credit of the State, or from becoming an owner of the stock 
of any company or corporation. 

467. Counties and Municipalities. — Some of the counties and 
municipalities had heretofore pledged their credit to an extent which 
alarmed the prudent element of their citizenship. So jealous had public 
sentiment become that the convention limited the powder of counties and 
municipalities by throwing around its exercise the following safeguard : 
"The credit of no county, city, or town shall be given or loaned to or in 
aid of any person, company, association, or corporation, except upon an 
election to be held by the qualified voters of such county, city, or town, 
and the assent of three-fourths of the votes cast at said election."^ 

° See Constitution, Article II, Sections 29-31. 



26o Topical Analysis. 

TOPICAL ANALYSIS OF DIVISION II. 

I. Partisan Politics— Revolt Against Jackson — Rise of the Whig Party.— 
(a) David Crockett ; Hugh L. White ; John Bell ; Newton Cannon. 
(f>) James K. Polk ; Felix Orundy ; John Catron ; Cave Johnson. 

II. Whig Success— Cannon, Governor — White Carries State for President. 

III. Democratic Success— Polk, Governor. 

IV. Whig Success — Jones, Governor for Two Terms. 

V. Democratic Success — Polk, President — Aaron V. Brown, Governor. 

(a) Annexation of Texas ; Mexican War ; Tennessee, the Volunteer State. 

VI. Whigs Successful Again — Neill S. Brown, Governor. 

VII. Disintegration of Whig Party — Know Nothings — Andrew Johnson, Governor. 

VIII. Isham G. Harris, Governor for Two Terms. 

IX, Secession — Tennessee Last Southern State to Secede — East Tennessee Favors Union. 

X. Provisional Army of Tennessee — Contest for Kentucky — Belmont — Fishing Creek. 

XI. Tennessee the Battle Ground — Fort Donelson — Shiloh —Andrew Johnson, Military 
Governor. 

XII. Cavalry Raids — Morgan — Forrest. 

XIII. Bragg Occupies Chattanooga— Invades Kentucky. 

XIV. Bragg Returns to Tennessee — Battles of Murfreesboro, Thompson's Station — Retreat 

to Chattanooga. 

XV. Final Contest for Tennessee — Chickamauga — Knoxville — Missionary Ridge — Tennes- 
see Evacuated. 

XVI. Forrest — Four Raids in West Tennessee— Raid in Middle Tennessee. 

XVII. Invasion of Tennessee by General Hood — Battle of Franklin — McGavock Cemetery. 

XVIII. End of the War — Incidents of the Surrender. 

XIX. Tennessee Soldiers in Other States. 

XX. Tennessee's Record in the War. — 

{a) Statistics; Federal Leaders ; Confederate Leaders ; Sam Davis. 

XXI. Reconstruction — Union Conventions — Proclamations — Constitutional Amendments. 

XXII. Brownlow's Administration— Political Factions— Legislation. — 

(a) Tennessee Admitted into the Union. 

(b) Partisan Bitterness. 

(c) Increase of Public Debt. ^ 

(d) Election Laws. 

(e) " Brownlow's Militia." 
(/) Loyal League. 

is) Ku Klux Klan. 
(h) Public School Law. 

XXIII. Senter's Administration — Irritation Allayed — Ku Klux Disband— Militia Disband — 

Loyal League Disappear.— 

(a) Senter Candidate for Re-Election ; The Coup de Main ; Confederates Allowed 

to Vote. 
(c) Senter Re-Elected ; Democratic Legislature. 

XXIV. Constitutional Convention — Accepts Issues of War— Prohibits State Aid to Corpora- 

tions — Extends Elective Franchise — Limits Powers of Executive — Ratified by People. 

XXV. Democrats Come into Power. 



DIVISION III. 



TENNESSEE UNDER THE CONSTITUTION OF 1870. 



CHAPTER XLIV. 

DEMOCRATS IN POWER — BROWN TO HAWKINS. 

468. Democrats Control All Departments. — At the general election, 
November, 1870, Gen. John C. Brown was elected governor, with a 
Democratic Legislature. 

469. Governor Brown's First Administration. — The previous 
Democratic Legislature had paved the way fur the political reorganiza- 
tion of the State. The attention of the new administration was devoted 
to pressing economic questions, and especially to the State debt. The 
comptroller reported that the 

State debt reached the enormous '^^ 

sum of $41,863,406.69. There 
were important questions relat- 
ing to the railroads and the 
penitentiary. This Legislature 
continued the policy of leasing 
the penitentiary, and passed acts 
to authorize railroads to consol- 
idate, to establish a Bureau of 
Immigration, and a Bureau of 
Agriculture, to create the offices 
of Superintendent of Prisons, 
and of State Geologist, to revise 
the chancery system, and to ap- 
portion the State into Senatorial. 
Representative, and Congres- 
sional Districts. Governor 
Brown was reelected to a second term of office, in 1872, with a Legis- 
lature Democratic in both branches. 




Gov. John C. Brown. 



262 



History op Tennessee. 




Hon. John M. Fleming, 
Superintendent Public Instruction. 



470. Goven.or Brown's Second Administration. — In the year 1873, 
a severe epidemic of cholera visited the State, accompanied by an 
epidemic of yellow fever. The Thirty- 
eighth General Assembly, upon the rec- 
ommendation of the governor, passed two ^ 
important measures ; the one, "to estah- '•' .,, 
lish and maintain a uniform system of 
pul:)lic schools" ; and the other, to fund 
the State debt. The responsibility which 
Governor Brown assumed in throwing his 
whole influence in favor of these meas- 
ures demonstrated his wisdom and cour- 
age. There \\'as much opposition to the 
school law. and especially amongGovernor 
Brown's immediate supporters. It cost 
him, at the time, the loss of valued 
friends ; yet, the present generation 
honors his memory for his unselfish bravery in establishing our present 
school system. This system was put into efficient operation by the 
State Superintendent, Hon. John A^. Fleming. 

A strong opposition was, also, offered to his financial policy. In 
spite of this, his influence was sufficient to secure the enactments which 
he recommended. During his two terms, the bonded indebtedness was 
reduced from $4T,<%3,4o6.69. to a little over $20,000,000; a large float- 
ing debt was liquidated ; an act was 
passed to fund the State debt at par; the 
payment of interest was resumed, and the 
credit of the State was fully restored. 
Other important economic legislation was 
enacted. Having served two terms with 
distinction. Governor Brown declined to 
be a candidate for reelection. In 1874, 
lion. James D. Porter (Democrat) was 
elected governor, with a Democratic Leg- 
islature, and was inaugurated January 18, 
1875. 

471. Governor Porter's Administra- 
tion. — Governor Porter served two terms, 
extending from 1875 to 1879. Early in his administration, the Funding 
Act of 1873 was repealed. The Democratic party was divided in refer- 




Gov. James D. Porter. 




Brown to Hawkins. 263 

ence to the State debt. It was urg-ed by one wing that a large part of 
the debt was fraudulent, and especially that part created dviring the 
Brownlow administration. The other wing 
urged that the credit of the State demanded 
that all debts should be paid which had been 
incurred by the recognized authority of the 
State. Governor Porter repeatedly urged 
upon the Legislature to make a final adjust- 
ment of the State delit, and to provide for 
paying the interest. 

In 1877, the Legislature suspended the 
payment of interest on the State debt, and 
reduced the State tax from 40 cents to 10 
cents on the $100, and appointed a commit- 
tee, consisting of John H. Savage, G. W. hon. james e. baile-^, 
Martin, Jesse Arledge, W. E. Travis, and united states senator. 
Lewis Sheppard, to confer with representatives of the bondholders. An 
adjustment was proposed, to the effect that the debt should be funded 
at the ratio of sixty cents on the dollar, and bonds given, bearing six per 
cent interest. An extra session of the Legislature was called to con- 
sider the proposition, which convened December 5, 1877. but failed to 
reach a final adjustment. 

In 1877, Hon. James E. Bailey, of Clarksville, one of the ablest men 
of the State, was elected L^nited States Senator. Alessrs. E. E. West- 
brook and Benton McMillin were appointed commissioners to negotiate 
with Kentucky for the purchase of the peculiarly located country 
included in New Madrid Bend. Kentucky, however, declined to enter- 
tain any proposition on the subject. During this administration, a 
number of important economic measures were adopted. Provisions 
were made for the organization of corporations. "The four-mile law" 
was passed, prohilnting the sale of intoxicating liquors within four miles 
of an incorporated institution of learning, except where such sale was 
protected by the charter of an incorporated town. In consequence of 
the terrible epidemic of yellow fever which prevailed in 1878, the State 
Board of Health was created. The powers of this Board have since 
been enlarged, and it has been of great benefit to the State. 

Governor Porter was a warm friend of public education. The 
system grew in popularitv under the wise supervision of Hon. Leon 
Trousdale. Teachers' Institutes were used as popular agencies, the 
State Board of Education was created, the Peabody Normal College was 



264 



History of Tennessee. 




Hon. Leon Trousdale, 
Superintendent Public Instruction. 



established, and Governor Porter was elected a member of the Peabody 
Board of Trust. The injudicious bill abolishing the office of County 

Superintendent of Schools, after passing 
both Houses, was defeated by the wis- 
dom of Governor Porter, who disposed 
of it by a pocket veto, by which good 
deed he won the -esteem of all friends of 
education, and the gratitude of the State. 
Thus was defeated the last serious effort 
against the system of public schools. 
Governor Porter declined reelection at 
the end of his second term, and Col. 
A. S. Marks was elected governor. 

472. The Administration of Gov- 
ernor Marks. — During the two years of 
this administration, the State debt was the pressing issue. The Fund- 
ing Act of 1873 had been repealed after bonds had been issued under it 
to the amount of $6,657,000. The status of the debt was unsatisfactory 
and confused. The payment of interest had been suspended for several 
years, and the credit of the State was suffering. The Democrats were 
divided on the question of funding the debt. One wing favored funding 
the entire debt, and providing for the payment of interest. Another 
wing was opposed to funding the entire debt, claiming that a large 
portion of it was fraudulent, and that the State was unable to bear the 
burden. Various expedients were proposed, and every shade of opinion 
was expressed. Finally, a law was 
passed by the Legislature, providing for 
funding the debt at the ratio of fifty 
cents on the dollar in bonds bearing four 
per cent interest ; the said law to be sub- 
mitted for ratification or rejection to a 
vote of the people. The election was 
held August 7, 1879, ^^^^ ^^^^ proposed 
law, popularly styled "the 50 — 4 propo- 
sition," was defeated by a vote of 46.704 
for "acceptance," and 75,755 for "rejec- 
tion." 

At the end of his term. Governor 
Marks declined to be a candidate for reelection. The Democratic con- 
vention for nomination of a candidate for governor was hopelessly 




%« 



Gov. Albert S. Marks. 



Hawkins to Buchanan. 



265 



divided. Hon. John V. Wright was nominated by the "State credit" 
wing, and Hon. S. F. Wilson by the "low tax" wing. This split in the 
Democratic party led to the election of Hon. Alvin Hawkins (Repub- 
lican) as governor. 



CHAPTER XLV. 

HAWKINS TO BUCHANAN. 



V) 




Gov. Alvin Ha^vkins. 



473. The Administration of Governor Hawkins. — An effort was 

made at the beginning of this ad- .j.«^~^ 

ministration to settle the State debt on # *^-=^ 

a basis satisfactory to the bondhold- « ^ 

ers. An act was passed in 188 1 "to 

settle the State debt at one hundred cents 

on the dollar, and three per cent interest, 

and making coupons receivable for 

taxes." The Supreme Court declared 

this act unconstitutional, and the vexed 

question was again opened. Three extra 

sessions of the Legislature were held. 

At the third extra session an act was 

passed "to settle and fund the State debt 

into bonds at sixty cents on the dollar, with graded interest at three per 

cent for two years, four per cent for the 
next two years, five per cent for the next two 
years, and six per cent thereafter." This 
act was approved May 20, 1882, and bonds 
were issued under it to the amount of 
$8,211,000. Like its predecessors, it was 
unsatisfactory to the people. 

At the beginning of his administration. 
Governor Hawkins appointed Dr. W. S. 
Doak as State Superintendent of Public 
Instruction. Dr. Doak was a descendant 
of Rev. Samuel Doak, the pioneer of educa- 
tion in Tennessee. His useful career was 
closed by death in 1882. He was the only 

State Superintendent of Public Instruction who died in office. 




Hon. w. S. Doak, 

Superintendent Public Instruction 



266 



History op Tennessee;. 




Hon. G. S. W. Crawford was appointed to fill the unexpired term. 
He continued the policy of his predecessor. Col. Leon Trousdale had 

established the general State Institute at the 

University of Tennessee. This was the 

first professional institute held in the State. 

"i'H ^^ ^^ supplied to the teachers a summer school 

j* of high grade, and was continued through 

'^i^.^JK the administrations of Dr. Doak and Prof. 

Crawford. 

The Democratic Convention, which met 
in June, adopted in its platform a plan for 
settling the State debt, and nominated Gen. 
William B. Bate for governor. The ex- 
treme State Credit wing- of the Democratic 
Hon. G. s. w, Crawford, partv, known as "the Sky-Blucs," nomi- 

Superintendent Public Instruction. " ^_^ , ,. 

nated Hon. J. H. imssell. ihe Republican 
Convention re-nominated Governor Alvin Hawkins. General Bate 
was elected. 

474. The Administration of Governor Bate. — Upon the strong 
recommendation of the governor, the Legislature enacted a law for the 
funding of the State debt, which proved to be the final adjustment of the 
vexed cjuestion. The first part of the act consists of a preamble, setting 
forth the considerations which influenced the Legislature, defining 
the difl^erent classes of bonds, and the valid- 
ity of the several classes. The act then /'''^*^**^- 
provides for settling the "State debt proper," 
in full, including principal and accrued in- 
terest, except interest which accumulated V _^ 
during the four years of the Avar. The 
bonds issued in funding this portion of the 
debt were to bear interest at the rate of the 
original contract. The "State debt proper" 
included the indebtedness, the validity of 
wdiich was admitted by all, and embraced 
nine classes of bonds, as enumerated in the 

act, and amounted, exclusive of interest, to Gov. William b. bate. 

$2,118,000, as follows: 

Capitol Bonds , $493,000 00 

Hermitage Bonds 35.000 00 

Agricultural Bonds 18,000 00 




Hawkins to Buchanan. 267 

Union Bank Bonds $ 125,000 00 

Bank of Tennessee Bonds 214,000 00 

Bonds issued to Turnpike Companies 741,000 00 

Hiwassee Railroad Bonds 280,000 00 

East Tennessee and Georgia Railroad Bonds 144,000 00 

Memphis and LaGrange Railroad Bonds 68,000 00 

Total $2,118,000 00 

It was charged that a portion of the remaining indebtedness was 
tainted with fraud, another portion was ihegall^y issued, another portion 
was chargeable with equital^le offsets. It was, therefore, provided that 
the remainder of the indebtedness, inchiding principal and accrued 
interest, should be funded into bonds for one-half of the principal and 
accrued interest, said bonds to bear interest at three per cent, and to be 
payable in thirty years, but redeemable at the option of the State, after 
five years. These provisions applied to five classes of l^onds, enumer- 
ated in the act, and amounted, exclusive of interest, to $18,903,000, as 
follows: 

Ante-war Railroad Bonds $8,583,000 00 

Post-war Railroad Bonds 2,638,000 00 

Funded under act of 1866 2,246,000 00 

Funded under act of 1868 569.000 00 

Funded under act of 1873' 4,867,000 00 

Total $18,903,000 00 

The twenty-nine bonds held by the widow of James K. Polk, and 
all bonds held by educational, literary, and charitable institutions, on 
January t, 1882, were excepted from the provisions of this act. This 
settlement was accepted by the bondholders, and the entire State debt 
was ultimate!}' fimded under the act. Supplementary acts have sul)sc- 
quently been passed, but the "State debt" has never since been an irri- 
tating factor in politics. 

475. Economic Matters. — Under the supervision of Hon. 
Thomas II. Paine, the Teachers' Institutes were restored to the office of 
])opular agencies, in which capacity they had accomplished much good 
luider Superintendent Trousdale. The}' had recently been used for 
])rofcssional instruction. They were needed in the popular field, where 

^ Under the act of 1873. bonds had been funded to the amount of $6,657,000. 
Of this amount, $1,790,000 were included in the State debt proper, leaving 
$4,867,000. 



268 



History of Tennessee;. 




Hon. Thomas H. Paine, 
Superintendent Public Instruction. 



Superintendent Paine put them "on wheels," as he expressed it. They 
became powerful agencies in gaining for the school system the public 

favor, and planting the interests of educa- 
tion deep in the hearts of the people. 

A law was enacted to create a commis- 
sion to regulate the railroads. Col. John H. 
Savage, J. A. Turley, and Gen. George W. 
Gordon were appointed to constitute the 
railroad commission. 

476. Governor Bate's Second Term. — At 
the general elections in 1884, Governor Bate 
was reelected for a second term. In 1885, 
the railroad commission law was repealed. 
In the same year, commissioners were ap- 
pointed to settle the boundary line between 
North Carolina and Tennessee ; the law was 
passed to establish taxing districts of the second class, and an appropria- 
tion of $TO,ooo was made for the Tennessee exhibit at the New Orleans 
Exposition. 

April 15, 1886, the distinguished statesman and jurist, Hon. 
Howell E. Jackson, resigned the position of United States Senator in 
order to accept the position of Judge of the United States Circuit Court. 
This place had become vacant by 
the death of the able Tennessee 
jurist. Judge John Baxter. Gov- 
ernor Bate appointed Hon. W. C. 
Whitthorne to fill the vacancy in 
the Senate. In 1893, Judge Jack- 
son 'was appointed by President 
Harrison a Justice of the Supreme ' 
Court of the United States, which 
position he filled with distinction 
until his death, August 8, 1895. 

477. Governor Robert L. Tay- 
lor's Administration. — The canvass 
for governor in 1886 was one of 
the most remarkable in the history 
of the State. The Democratic 
candidate, Hon. Robert L. Taylor, was known to the people under the 
jovial title of "Our Bob," and was the most popular stump speaker in 





Justice Howell E. Jackson, 
United States Supreme Court. 



Hawkins to Buchanan. 



269 



W 




Gov. Robert L. Taylor. 



the State. The RepubHcan candidate was his brother, Hon. Alfred A. 

Taylor, who was known as an able orator. At every point during the 

canvass, the people flocked to hear the 

"two brothers." The fame of the contest 

reached to the remotest parts of the Union. '%_ 

The Democratic candidate was elected. 
There were no pressing State issues, 

and attention was directed to Federal pol- 
itics. The most exciting State event was 

the vote on the constitutional amendment 

prohibiting the sale of intoxicating 

liquors, which was defeated by a vote of 

117,504 in its favor to 145,197 against it. 
478. Education. — In educational 

matters there was a marked improvement, 

which was especially noticeable in the increased number of high graded 

schools established by municipal corporations. 

In 1888, Superintendent Smith called a convention of the public 

school officers to meet in Nashville. Similar conventions had been 

called by Superintendent John Eaton, in 1867, and by Superintendent 

John ]\I. Fleming, in 1873, but no permanent organization had been 

effected in either case. Under the call of Superintendent Smith, in 

1888, a permanent organization was established, styled. The Public 

School Officers' Association, which has 
"■"'* ~' - held annual meetings ever since, and has 

become a valuable factor of the public 
school system. - 

In 1889. the National Educational As- 
sociation of the United States held its 
annual session at Nashville, and the city 
was thronged with educators from all 
parts of the United Sta es. 

The Legislature made a small appro- 
priation for the benefit of the Tennessee 
Industrial School. This institution, orig- 
inally founded and maintained by the 
munificence of Col. E. W. Cole, who sub- 
sequently donated it to the State to be 




Hon. Frank M. Smith, 
Superintendent Public Instruction. 



* See Tennessee School Reports, for the years 1890 and 1891. 



270 History op Tennessee. 

used as an institution for training wayward children to industrial pur- 
suits. The State accepted the donation, and, beginning with a small 
appropriation, has steadily increased it, as the value of the institution 
became apparent, until it has now developed into one of the most useful 
institutions in the State. 

479. The Hermitage Association and the Soldiers' Home. — Soon 
after Governor Taylor's entrance upon his second term, in 1889, ^^^^ 
Legislature enacted the law establishing the Confederate Soldiers' 
Home, and the Ladies' Hermitage Association. Many years previously 
the State purchased the homestead tract of the Hermitage estate, con- 
sisting of five hundred acres, on which was the former residence of Gen. 
Andrew^ Jackson. Lender the law of 1889, this tract was divided. The 
residence, with twenty-five acres, was entrusted for preservation to the 
care of an association of ladies, known as the "Ladies Hermitage Asso- 
ciation," of which Mrs. Sallie M. Lindsley is now the Regent, and Mrs. 
Mary C. Dorris is the Secretary. 

The remainder of the tract, consisting of 475 acres, was donated as 
a home for "maimed and disabled Confederate soldiers with honorable 
records." An appropriation of $25,000 was made for the erection of 
suitable buildings. The management was entrusted to a board of nine 
trustees, appointed by the governor, upon the nomination of "The Ten- 
nessee Division of the Association of Confederate Soldiers." In 1895, 
the annual appropriation was increased to $8,500, and in 1899, ^^ $9° ^^r 
each inmate. There are now (1900) 123 inmates in the Home, which 
has been well managed by the Board of Trustees, of which Dr. W. J. 
McMurray is President, and John P. Hickman is Secretary. 

480. Penitentiary Lease System and Labor Troubles. — For several 
years there had been serious disturljances in the mining and manufactur- 
ing sections of the United States, popularly styled "strikes," or "labor 
troubles." An impression prevailed among the laboring classes that 
the capitalists and powerful corporations w^ere arbitrary and vmjust in 
dealing with the la1)orers in their employment. Associations were 
formed among the laborers to resist what they considered infractions of 
their rights. In these "strikes," the laborers sometimes went beyond 
the point of lawful resistance, and laid themselves liable to the charge 
of insurrection. 

Tennessee had been free from any serious outbreak, although 
mutterings had been heard ever since the adoption of the Penitentiary 
lease system. The laboring elements, and especially the miners, had 
complained that the mine owners, by leasing the Penitentiary convicts 



Hawkins to Buchanan. 271 

to work in the mines, were enabled to dictate prices and terms to the free 
miners, and to impose upon them unjust and unlawful regulations. 
Notwithstanding- the protest of the lal^oring elements, the lease system 
was continued. 

In 1889, the Penitentiary convicts were leased to the Tennessee 
Coal, Iron and Railroad Company for a term of six years. This com- 
pany was permitted to sub-lease the convicts for service in the various 
mines, and to place them under State regulations in mining camps, the 
lessees paying the expense of maintaining a sufficient force of guards. 
The miners were much incensed at this lease, and complained of it 
bitterly. 

481. The Farmers' Alliance. — During this administration, a secret 
order, known as the Farmers' Alliance, came into prominence. For 
many years, a sentiment had been growing among the farmers that their 
interests had been neglected by the governments, State and federal. 
They organized societies, bound by a secret oath, and held meetings, to 
which none Init their own members were admitted. A similar move- 
ment was going on among the lal:)oring men. Finally, a ttnion was 
effected among the various orders, and the organization became known 
by the name of the "Farmers' and Laborers' Union," l)ut more popularly 
called the Farmers' Alliance. In Tennessee, this order was composed 
mainly of Democrats, and notal)ly affiliated with the Democratic party. 

John P. Buchanan, the President of the Farmers' Alliance, came of 
a sturdy family of farmers, being a descendant of ]Maj. John Buchanan, 
of pioneer fame. He had made an honorable record. He had been 
a private in the Confederate army, when a boy, and had acquired a repu- 
tation for braver}- and faithful service. Since mimhood, he had been 
actively engaged in farming, but had also been conspicuous as a Demo- 
cratic leader, attending all the conventions, and serving as a member of 
the Legislature. At the Democratic convention in 1890, he was a can- 
didate for governor. His nomination was strenuously opposed by 
many Democrats on the ground of his connection with an order which 
was bound by a secret oath, and which was charged with holding doc- 
trines inconsistent with Democratic creed. After a prolonged contest, 
a compromise platform was adopted, and ]\Ir. Buchanan was nominated 
as the Democratic candidate, and was elected governor by a large 
maioritv of votes. 



History of Tennessee. 



CHAPTER XLVI. 

BUCHANAN TO TAYLOR. 

482. The Administration of Governor Buchanan. — The Legis- 
lature, among other important acts, adopted three measures which 
deserve especial mention. Two of these related to public education, 
and were strongly recommended by Governor Buchanan, who mani- 
fested a warm interest in education. 

One of these enactments is known as the "secondary school law," 
which elevated the standard of the public schools, extended the school 

curriciilum, and rendered the State the 
patriotic service of introducing in the 
public schools the study of Tennessee 
History and the study of Civil Govern- 
ment. The features of this law are 
more fully discussed in the chapter on 
education. 

The other enactment was the appro- 
priation of $1,500 per annum to provide 
for the expense of holding Summer In- 
stitutes for teachers. This was the first 
appropriation ever made by the State for 
the purpose, and was the beginning of 

Gov. John P. Buchanan. . ,. , . , .1 o, . 1 -1 

the policy to which the State has wisely 
adhered ever since. In this administration, the appropriation to the 
Peabody Normal College was increased to $15,000. 

Another act strongly recommended Ijy Governor Buchanan was the 
law known as the "Confederate Pension Law." To the honor of 
Tennesseans, be it said, the most eloquent speeches in favor of the bill 
were made by Federal soldiers. Under this law, $60,000 per annum 
w^as appropriated to provide pensions for maimed and disabled soldiers 
with honorable records, either Confederate or Federal, who are not 
entitled to draw pensions from any other State or from the United 
States. The act provided, "That the Comptroller, Attorney General of 
the State, and three ex-Confederate soldiers, to be suggested by the 
Tennessee Division of Confederate Veterans, appointed by the Governor 




Buchanan to Taylor. 273 

and hold their places for two years, without pay, shall constitute the 
Board of Pension Examiners." In 1899, the annual appropriation was 
increased to $100,000. The number of pensioners on the roll in the 
year 1900, is 908, and the Board consists of George B. Guild, President ; 
Frank A. Moses, George F. Hager, the Comptroller and the Attorney 
General. John I'. Hickman is Secretary. 

In this administration, the commodious building at the Confederate 
Soldiers' Home was completed, and provisions were made for the 
support of the inmates. 

483. The First Insurrection of the Miners. — In his first message, 
Governor Buchanan recommended the building of a new penitentiary, 
with a view to changing the system of management, at the expiration of 
the existing lease. This suggestion, however, did not afford relief 
sufficiently speedy to allay the irritation of the miners. 

Previous to July, 1891, the mines worked by convict laI)or were at 
Tracy City, Inman, Oliver Springs, and Coal Creek. The mines of 
the Tennessee Coal Mining Company at Briceville, Anderson County, 
had been operated by free labor. A quarrel had arisen between the 
company and its employees in reference to a "check-weighman," and the 
use of "scrip." which resulted in a "strike." The company thereupon 
leased a number of convicts, and put them at work in the mines, early 
in July, 1891. This brought matters to a crisis. About midnight, 
July 14th, a mob of three hundred armed men took possession of the 
stockade, overpowered the guards, and forced the warden to remove the 
convicts, who were carried to Knoxville. Governor Buchanan hastened 
to the scene of action, with two companies of militia, which had been 
called into service. He reached Briceville July 16th, and held a con- 
ference with the miners, in which he appealed to them to obey the laws, 
and seek redress for their grievances through legal means. He further 
assured them that the laws would lie enforced at whatever cost of 
blood or treasure. He returned to the capitol, July i8th, having restored 
the convicts to the stockade prison. 

484. The Second Insurrection. — Anxious over the situation, the 
governor directed Adjutant General Henry H. Norman, in whose judg- 
ment he reposed the highest confidence, to proceed to Briceville, and use 
his personal influence to prevent a renewal of unlawful acts. Before 
the arrival of General Norman, a mob of about one thousand armed 
miners had gathered at Briceville and Coal Creek, and forced the 
wardens to remove the convicts from the stockades. Upon receiving 
this intelligence, the governor called into service the State Guard, and 



274 History of Tennessee. 

ordered their commander. Brigadier General Samuel T. Carnes, to pro- 
ceed at once to Knoxville, and there concentrate his command. This 
order was issued July 20th, and so promptly executed that the entire 
brigade was mobilized at Knoxville, July 21st, consisting of the First 
Regiment, 250 men, commanded by Captain Charles Robinson; the 
Second Regiment, 250 men, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel A, R. 
Taylor; the Third Regiment, 200 men, commanded by Lieutenant 
Colonel J. P. Fyffe. 

The governor arrived at Knoxville July 22d, and was met by a 
committee of miners and citizens, tendering the submision of the miners, 
and the agreement to refrain from further acts of violence. So far, no 
blood had been shed. The act of the governor in calling the State 
Guard into service was plainly in excess of his constitutional powers, 
but was necessary to maintain the authority of the State. The convicts 
were promptly restored to the stockades, with the usual prison guards, 
and the State Guard was relieved from active duty. 

485. The Legislature Convenes. — The opportunity was thus 
afforded to convene the Legislature in extra session, which body assem- 
bled August 31st. The governor's message stated the situation, and 
made the following request: "I want the General Assembly to clothe 
me with all needful power to enable me to execute my trust faithfully." 

In the same message, he recommended important amendments in 
the criminal laws, immediate provisions for building a new penitentiary, 
and for redressing some of the grievances of which the miners com- 
plained. The Legislature passed acts giving "the governor more power 
over the militia," for "maintaining the State Guard," and to provide for 
the building of a new penitentiary, with modern appliances and of 
capacity sufficient to accommodate 2,000 prisoners. The same act fur- 
ther provided for the abolition of the system of leasing the convicts at 
the expiration of the existing lease. ^ 

486. The Third Insurrection. — The miners did not consider the 
concessions of the Legislature sufficiently ample in character or speedy 
in relief, and they decided to proceed to violent measures. 'Ehe extra 
session of the Legislature adjourned September 21st. 

In a little more than a month, the insurrection was renewed. Oc- 
tober 30th and 31st, mobs of miners again overpowered the guards at 
Briceville, Coal Creek, and Oliver Springs, destroyed the stockades, 
and turned the convicts loose. The stockades were rebuilt, and the 
convicts were captvired and returned in December. L^pon the advice 

' See Acts and Journals, Extra Session, 1891. 



Buchanan to Taylor. 275 

of General Carnes, a special company was recruited for the purpose of 
guarding the three mines in revoh. January i, 1892, this company was 
placed in "Fort Anderson," in the vicinity of the mines, under the com- 
mand of Capt. Kellar Anderson. 

487. The Fourth Insurrection. — August 13, 1892, the insurrection 
broke out afresh, l)eginning in the mines at Tracy City, in Grundy 
County, where an armed mob of miners forced the warden to remove 
the convicts. Two days later, a similar outbreak occurred at the 
Inman mines, in Marion County. These two mines had taken no part 
in the former insurrections, and no military force was stationed near 
them. 

A few days later, an organized force of miners released the con- 
victs at Oliver Springs. August 18, 1892, a committee from the 
miners waited upon Captain Anderson and demanded a surrender of the 
fort. Captain Anderson, seeking to pacify and dissuade them from 
so rash an act, left the fort, going down to Coal Creek Station, and was 
discussing the matter with some of the leaders, when a shot from Wal- 
den's Ridge brought on a general fire from the pickets and the fort. 
Captain Anderson was then taken in charge by Masonic friends and 
conducted to the rear hills for safety, where he was kept until four 
o'clock the following evening, when he was brought into the National 
Guard lines. The miners, in the meantime, had made an attack upon 
the fort, which was repulsed by the garrison, under command of Lieu- 
tenants Wenning and Fyffe. 

August 17. 1892, Adjutant General Norman, under instructions 
from Governor Buchanan, telegraphed General Carnes to mobilize his 
entire brigade and proceed to Coal Creek to relieve Fort Anderson, and 
to suppress the insurrtxtion. 

488. The Efficient Services of General Carnes and the National 
Guard. — On the i8tli, the Third Regiment and a posse from Knoxville 
under the command of Col. Cator Wool ford, left the cars at Knapps, 
and under the cover of night marched to the top of Walden's Ridge tmtil 
opposite and within a half mile of Fort Anderson. Here they lay 
down and waited for daylight. At dawn they were attacked by the 
miners and driven from the hills, with a loss of three men killed. In 

• the meantime, General Carnes, with the First Regiment, Col. J. L. Fox, 
and the Second Regiment, Col. A.'R. Taylor, and with the posse of one 
hundred and fifty men armed with Winchester rifles, reached Coal Creek 
about 8.30 A. M., and entered the town without opposition. Upon his 
approach, the miners fled and scattered. 



276 History of Tennessee. 

It is estimated that there were as many as two thousand miners 
engaged in this attack on the fort, but the men under Carnes saw few 
with guns and only three dead miners. General Carnes arrested some 
one hundred and seventy-five men, and was very aggressive and active 
in restoring order. The Second Regiment was kept at Coal Creek 
until October 30th, 1892, when, upon the recommendation of Col. A. R. 
Taylor, the commander, the soldiers were sent home, leaving only the 
garrison at Fort Anderson. Some of the leaders in this insurrection 
were tried and convicted, while many sought safety in flight from the 
State.-' 

Thus ended the insurrection of the miners. The company 
under Capt. Kellar Anderson was retained in service, as a safeguard, 
until relieved from duty in 1893, by order of Governor Turney. 

489. The Close of Buchanan's Administration. — During this 
administration, $469,000 worth of bonds, bearing six per cent interest, 
were called in and discharged by the proceeds arising from the sale of 
fifteen-year bonds bearing four per cent interest. The breach between 
the Alliance and the Anti-Alliance wings of the Democratic party grad- 
ually widened. When Governor Buchanan announced himself as a 
candidate for reelection, he was vehemently opposed by the Anti- 
Alliance wing. He finally withdrew his name from consideration 
before the Democratic convention, and announced himself as an inde- 
pendent candidate. Hon. Peter Turney, at that time Chief Justice of 
Tennessee, was nominated by the Democratic convention ; Hon. G. W. 
Winstead by the Republicans; and Hon. E. H. East by the Prohibition 
party. After an exciting and bitter contest, Hon. Peter Turney was 
elected. 

In his retiring message to the Legislature in 1893, Governor Buch- 
anan renewed the recommendations of his first message, in 1891, with 
reference to the construction of a new prison, and the abolition of the 
convict lease system, which he had repeated in his message to the extra 
session. He discussed ably and at length the several methods of prison 
management, which had been successful in other States. He urged 
that the State account system should be put into operation in Tennessee 
as speedily as the necessary arrangements could be made to carrv it 
into effect. 

■ See Acts and Journals of Extra Session of 1891 ; Acts and Journals, Session 
of 1S93 ; Messages of Governor Buchanan, Regular Session of 1891 ; Extra 
Session 6f 1891 ; Session of 1893; Report of Adjutant General Norman, 1891-92, 
pp. 10-20; Report of Gen. S. T. Carnes, in same, pp. 28-34. 




I 



Buchanan to Tayi^or. 277 

490. The Administration of Governor Peter Turney. — Early in 
his administration, Governor Turney dismissed the State Guard from 

active service in the mining districts. 
~ April 4, 1893, he approved the final act 

^ "^' of the Legislature, providing for the 

erection of a new penitentiary, with 
workshops, stockades, etc., and the 
purchase of farming lands and mining 
lands, looking to the abolition of the 
convict lease system. 

Under this law, a Building and 
Purchasing Committee was appointed. 
In 1895, a permanent Prison Commis- 
sion was created. In 1894, nine thou- 
Gcv. PETER Turney. saud acrcs of mining lands were pur- 

chased in Morgan County, known as 
the Brushy Mountain tract. Upon this tract was erected a new branch 
prison, which was completed January i, 1896. 

A tract of farming land of 1,175 acres was purchased for the loca- 
tion of the main prison, and about 2,200 acres of farming land adjacent 
were leased for a term of years. On this farm, seven miles from 
Nashville, an eligible site was selected and the building of the main 
prison was begim. 

January i, 1896, the contract by which the convicts were leased to 
the Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railroad Company expired, and the State 
was free to adopt a more humane policy. The State mines at Brushy 
Mountain were already in operation by convict labor. As soon as the 
main prison should be completed, the new system in all the departments 
of the penitentiary" could be put in operation. 

During this administration, the contest with the railroads and other 
moneyed corporations, which had for many years been an irritating 
factor in State politics, was waged with increased bitterness. 

During Governor Turney's first term of office, educational affairs 
were under the efficient supervision of Hon. Frank ]\I. Smith, who was 
succeeded at the beginning of Governor Turney's second term by Hon. 
S. G. Gilbreath, an able officer. Important legislation was enacted. 
A law was passed increasing the powers of the Boards of Education of 

^ See Acts and Journals of the respective years ; Biennial Report of John H. 
Trice, Superintendent of Prisons, 1896; Report of Board of Prison Commis- 
sioners, 1896, etc. 




278 History op Tennessee. 

municipal corporations. Another law provided for the examination of 
County Superintendents of Public Instruction, and increased the powers 

of the State Board of Education. Several 

important enactments were made, regulating 

the financial management of the system, 

providing for more frequent reports, etc. 

The appropriation to the Peabody Normal 

College was increased to $20,000, and the 

Chair of American History was established, 

to be devoted to instruction in American 

History, and especially to the history of 

Tennessee, and to the collection and publica- 

:* tion of historical material. 

'^. 491. The Contested Election.— In 1895. 

Hon. s. g. gilbreath, Govcmor Turncy was a candidate for re- 

Superintendeut Public Instruction. i ,• tt tt /^i "T' j.i 

election. Hon. H. Clay Evans was the 
Republican candidate, and Hon. A. L. Minis the candidate of the 
People's party. When the vote was counted by the tellers, in joint 
convention of the two houses of the General Assembly, the returns 
showed 104,356 votes for Turney, 105,104 for Evans, and 23,088 for 
Minis. Governor Turney contested the election. The Legislature, 
after hearing evidence and argument, by a vote of 70 to 57, declared 
Peter Turney duly ai-id constitutionally elected. He was then 
inaugurated for the second term. In 1896, Hon. Robert L. Taylor was 
elected for the third time as sfovernor of Tennessee. 



CHAPTER XLMT. 

THIRD ADMIXISTRATIOX OF GOl'ERNOR ROBERT L. TAYLOR} 

492. Important Events. — The two former terms of Governor 
Taylor were uneventful, and were interesting only to the student of 
political institutions and economic legislation. The present term, 
however, was full of events of historic and social interest. Scarcely 
had he been inaugurated when he was called on to welcome the guests of 
the State who came from every part of the Union and from foreign 
countries to visit Tennessee on the occasion of her centennial reception. 

* Governor Taylor's portrait is given at the head of his first administration. 



Third Administration of Gov. Robert L,. Taylor. 



79 




Tennessee Centennial Grounds. 



Having performed this pleasing duty with admirable grace, he entered 
upon the more serious duty of organizing the troops of Tennessee for 
the Spanish and Philippine Wars. 

493. The Tennessee Centennial. — The Centennial Park was dedi- 
cated June I, 1896, with 

ceremonies commemorative 
of the admission of the 
State into the Union, June 
I, 1796. The Exposition 
was formally opened May 
I, 1897. This exposition 
was, perhaps, the best man- 
aged, the most brilliant and 
successful State exposition 
ever held. It was located 

on a beautiful site, just outside of the corporate limits of Nashville. 
The grounds were verdant and beautiful. The buildings, exhibits, and 
attractions pertaining to such occasions were of an unusually high order. 
The United States Government building and exhibit, the State buildings 
and exhibits, the foreign exhibits, and the various manufacturing, mer- 
cantile, agricultural, scientific, and educational exhi1)its, were all excel- 
lent. The preeminent feature of the exposition was the prominence 
given to History. The harmonious association of ancient history and 
modern history was peculiarly pleasing, and was remarkable in a State 
which had heretofore been so negligent of its own history. 

494. The Parthenon and Erectheum. — The most beautiful build- 
ing, occupying the most conspicuous site on the grounds, was a repro- 
duction of the classic Parthenon, "the pride of Athens," exact in size 

and construction, and in all 



I 











respects except the material 
used. In this building was 
placed the art exhibit, under the 
control of a committee, of which 
the accomplished Mr. Theodore 
Cooley was chairman. 

By the side of the Parthenon, 
occupying the same relative 
position which it occupied en 
the Acropolis of Athens, was the exact reproduction of the companion 
temple, the Erectheum. This building was devoted to history, and 



The Parthenon. 



28o History of Tennessee. 

furnishes the first instance in any American Exposition in which a sep- 
arate building and a special department has been given to history." 
Here Gen. G. P. Thruston, the efficient Chairman of the History Com- 
mittee, ably assisted by the superintendent of the building, Mr. Robert T. 
Ouarles, displayed the most complete and remarkable collection of State 
historical relics that has, perhaps, ever been exhibited. The Tennessee 
Historical Society, various local Historical Societies, The Colonial 
Dames, the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Ladies' Her- 
mitage Association, the Grand Army of the Republic, the Confederr.te 
Veterans, the Daughters of the Confederacy, and many private contrib- 
utors, supplied a collection which ilkistrated the history of Tennessee 
from its pioneer period to the present time. 

An interesting incident of the Centennial was the parade of the 
Association of United Confederate Veterans, who held their annual 
reunion in Nashville, while the Centennial was in progress. 

495. The Effects of the Centennial on the History of the State. — > 
Nothing has done so much to interest Tennesseans in the history of 
their own State as the Centennial Exposition. Previous to that time, 
the Tennessee Historical Society had done a grand work in preserving 
the materials of history. The early historians had deserved the grati- 
tude of the State for their valuable w^orks. The Legislature, in 1891, 
in enacting the Secondary School law, had added Tennessee History to 
the curriculum of studies, and in 1895, had created the Chair of Ameri- 
can History at the Peabody Normal Col- 
^^^ leg-e_ The American Historical Magazine, 

pul)lished as the organ of this chair, 
reaches the principal libraries and learned 
^m societies all over the United States. A 

remarkable production appeared in the 
new^spapers, just before the opening of the 
exposition, entitled the Centennial Dream, 
written by Dr. R. L. C. White. This 
article was given to the public in the form 
of a hundred queries in Tennessee history, 
and a rew^ard was offered for correct 
* answers. It obtained a wide circulation, 

Hon. Price Thomas, ^nd aroused a wonderful popular interest. 

Superintendent Public Instruction. r^ , • .1 1 

Such agencies as those above men- 
tioned had, to some extent, attracted public attention, and had paved the 
way for the public enthusiasm in history, which was kindled by the 




Third Administration op Gov. Robert L,. Taylor. 281 

Centennial.- Under the general supervision of Hon. Price Thomas, 
Superintendent of Public Instruction, a fine educational exhibit was 
held at the Centennial Exposition, which attracted educators from the 
State and from abroad. A meeting of the Department of Superintend- 
ence of the National Educational Association, held at Chattanooga, was 
welcomed by Superintendent Thomas in a felicitous address. 

496. The Senatorship. — The State was saddened by the death of 
,the senior Senator, Hon. Isham G. Harris, whose long career as a public 
servant had been honorable to himself and to the State. Governor 
Taylor appointed Hon. Thomas B. Turley, of Memphis, to fill the 
vacancy until the next meeting of the Legislature. Senator Turley 
was known as one of the ablest lawyers of the State, and had been the 
law partner of Senator Harris. The fitness of the appointment was 
recognized by the General Assembly, and Senator Turley was elected to 
fill the unexpired term. 

497. The Spanish War. — In this war, Tennessee maintained her 
title to the name, ''Volunteer State." She furnished her full quota of 
troops, and other volunteers offered their services. 

Four regiments from the State were accepted and mustered into 
the A^olunteer Army of the United States. The First Tennessee was 
commanded by Col. William Crawford Smith, who had been a gallant 
officer in the Confederate Army. This regiment was ordered to San 
Francisco, and subsequently to the Philippine Islands. It took an 
honorable part in the skirmishes and engagements of the Philippine 
War against Aguinaldo. Colonel Smith, overcome by the intense heat, 
fell from his horse and expired on the firing line, in an engagement in 
front of Manila. Lieutenant Colonel Gracey Childers was promoted 
to Colonel, and served with distinction during the remainder of the 
term of service. 

The other three regiments were complete in number and equip- 
ments, and in fine soldierly qualities. Though ardently desiring to win 
distinction, no opportunity was offered them to meet the enemy. The 
Second Regiment was commanded by Col. Kellar Anderson, who had 
served wdth distinction in the State campaign for suppressing the 
insurrection of the miners. The Third was commanded by Col. J. P. 
Fyffe, who had, also, served the State in the campaign against the 
miners, and had the reputation of being one of the best officers in the 

• See Official History of Tennessee Exposition ; American Historical Maga- 
zine, Vol. HI, p. 3, et seq. 



282 History op Tennessee. 

service. The Fourth served for a short time in Cuba, but arrived 
there too late to meet the enemy in battle. It was commanded by Col. 
George Leroy Brown. 

In the United States Navy were the following ofificers from Ten- 
nessee :^ 

In the marine corps: Col. Robert L. Meade, Capt. Albert S. 
McLemore, Lieutenants Fred M. Eslick and Rush R. Wallace. 

In the naval service : Commander Washburn Maynard, Lieutenant 
Commanders Albert G. Berry, Valentine S. Nelson, Robert M. Doyle, 
William B. Caperton, Charles C. Rogers; Lieutenants Thomas F. 
Ruhm, Albert Cleaves, Albert L. Key, Edwin H. Tillman, Joseph J. 
Cheatham, Robert F. Lopez, William H. McGrann, David VanH. Allen, 
Ridley McLean; Ensigns Charles K. Mallory. Dudley W. Knox, 

Henry C. Mustin ; Surgeon 
Charles T. Hibbett; and As- 
sistant Surgeons Will T. 
Arnold and James C. Pryor. 

Commander Maynard, of 
the Gunboat Nashville, fired 
!* . ;ii ij4~-~.»^ . the first shot in the Spanish 

-• " War. 

Lieut. Thomas F. Ruhm 
was the constructor in charge 
U.S. Gunboat NASHVILLE. oi the building of the "Ore- 

gon" and the "Olympia." 

498. The Penitentiary. — The main i)rison having been finally 
completed, the convicts from the old prison and from other prisons were 
moved into it, and the new penitentiary was formally occupied February 
12, 1898. Nothing now prevented the completion of prison reform, 
and the State account system was put into full operation. This system 
is, at once, humane and profitable to the State. 

499. The Railroad Commission. — The contest with the railroads 
reached the culminating point in Taylor's administration. A law was 
enacted, creating a railroad commission, with power to assess the prop- 
erty, and to exercise a limited control over the management of railroads. 
The governor appointed Messrs. E. L. Bullock, Newton H. White, and 
Frank M. Thompson, to serve until the next biennial election. Mr. 
De Long Rice was appointed Secretary of the Board. This Board 

* Register of the Navy : Government Printing Office, Washington. 



Administration of Gov. McMili^in. 



283 



assessed the railroad property at a valuation which the railroads refused 
to accept. Suit was brought in the Federal courts to resist the assess- 
ment, and an injimction was granted. 

At the regular elections in 1899, Messrs. N. W. Baptist, Thomas L. 
Williams, and J. N. McKenzie were elected Railroad Commissioners. 
Thev appointed Mr. Frank Avent Secretary. 



CHAPTER XLVIII. 

ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR M'MILLIN. 

500. The Present Chief Magistrate. — The newly elected governor 
had long l)een engaged in the service of the State. Tn various capacities 
he had demonstrated his ability as a states- 
man and his faithfulness as a public 
servant. Having served for twenty 
years as a representative in Congress, he 
was transferred to the gubernatorial chair, 
with instructions from his party to insti- 
tute economy and reform. The end of 
the first year of this administration brings 
us to the present time. 

501. Condition of the State Debt. — 
The bonded debt of the State amounted to 
$16,455,200, and the floating debt 
amounted to $850,000, making a total of 
$17,305,200. Sixteen years had elapsed 

since the issuance of the bonds, and no provision had been made for 
their payment. Governor MclSIillin, in his message to the Legislature, 
recommended that a sinking fund be created. A law to this effect 
was promptly enacted. Up to March, 1900, $600,000 of the floating 
debt has been paid, the interest and current expenses have been 
promptlv met. More than $100,000 is in the treasury to the credit of 
the sinking fund; $iio,ooo of bonds have been called in for payment, 
and the work of liquidating the State debt is fairly begun. 

502. Economic Reforms. — The law relating to the fees of coal 
oil inspectors was changed so that all fees from the inspection of illumi- 
nating oils should be paid into the treasury, after deducting therefrom 




Gov. Bbnton McMillin. 



284 History of Tennessee. 

a specified sum to the inspector. From this source, in the year 1899, 
the State derived about $25,000 income. 

A tax of one-tenth of one per cent was imposed on the issuance of 
charters of incorporation, and on charters for the consolidation of exist- 
ing corporations. It is estimated that this tax brings to the treasury 
an annual income of $45,000. 

A number of suits were pending in the State and Federal courts, 
involving questions connected with the taxation of railroads, telegraphs 
and telephones. The State officers had been enjoined from the collec- 
tion of a considerable amount of revenue. In this condition of affairs, 
a conference was held between the authorities of the State and repre- 
sentatives of the railroads and other corporations. An adjustment 
was effected which was satisfactory to the railroads and other litigants, 
to the Board of Railroad Commissioners, and the State Board of Equal- 
ization, composed of the governor, the treasurer, and the secretary of 
state. The suits were then compromised on equitable principles. 
This settlement made the taxes on these corporations immediately 
available, amounting to $197,712.04, and will hereafter bring to the 
treasury a largely increased annual revenue. 

The questions connected with the managemtnt of the penitentiary, 
the change from the lease system, and the erection of the new peniten- 
tiary, have been elsewhere discussed. The Board of Prison Commis- 
sioners now consists of W. M. Nixon, Chairman ; John H. Trice, Sec- 
retary ; and A. J. McWhirter. Important reforms have been intro- 
duced, as experience in the new system 
has demonstrated their value. The 
excellent management of its affairs 
during the year 1899 demonstrated the 
wisdom of the new system, and brought 
to the treasury a net profit of 
$83,483.90. 

The reform of the judiciary system 
was passed over strong opposition, but 
was finally adopted, and saves to the 
State about $30,000 per annum. 

A judicious law was enacted, cre- 

HoN. Morgan C. Fitzpatrick, ^f;„^ „ TJ^^...^ ^£ "D^ i • j.- 

. , ^ , ^,. . Rung a iioard 01 Pardons, consistmg 

Superintendent Public Instruction. , "^ 

of the three Prison Commissioners. 
503. Educational Enactments. — A number of Educational enact- 
ments were made. Three of these, urged by Superintendent Morgan C. 




Administration of Gov. Benton McMillin. 



2«5 



Fitzpatrick, were especially important. Recognizing the great benefit 
to education, which had resulted from the holding of Teachers' Insti- 
tutes, the Legislature increased the appropriation for this purpose from 
$1,500 to $2,500 per annum. The County High School law is a wise 
enactment, which affords to any county the opportunity to establish a 
system of schools complete within the county. 

Another educational enactment of great importance was "An act 
to create a State Text-Book Commission, and to procure for use in the 
free public schools in this State a uniform series of text-books." 




504. The Text - Book Commission. — The governor and Slate 
Superintendent of Public Instruction, together with three members of 
the State Board of Education named by the governor, constitute the 
State Text-Book Commission, assisted by a sub-commission, consisting 
of five members, whose duty it is to examine and report upon the 
merits of all text-books oft'ered for adoption by the State. 

August 25, 1899, Hon. Morgan C. Fitzpatrick. State Superin- 
tendent of Public Instruction, issued an official circular, setting forth 
a list of the books adopted, with the prices of each, the regulations for 



286 History of Tennessee. 

purchase, exchange, and introduction, and requiring the newly adopted 
books to be used in all schools on and after September i, 1899. The 
list showed a considerable reduction in prices. The law went into 
efifect promptly, with some^ delay in a few localities, and resistance on 
the part of some of the cities. 

505. The Reception of the First Tennessee, — The reception of 
the First Tennessee Regiment, on its return from the Philippine cam- 
paign, was a memorable day in the annals of Tennessee. All the four 
Tennessee regiments had urgently petitioned to be placed where they 
could meet the enemy. None of them obtained the boon which they 
so ardently sought in the Spanish War. The First Tennessee, alone, 
was under fire in the Philippine War. Their conduct was such as to 




Colonels of First Tennessee Regiments. 

William B. Campbell. Robert K. Byrd. Peter Turney. George Maney. 
Hume R. Field. William C. Smith. Gracey Childers. 

maintain the high reputation which had always attached to the name, 
"First Tennessee." The last of the volunteer regiments discharged 
from service, the First Tennessee reached Nashville November 29, 
1899, on its return home. 

They were received with public demonstrations of welcome. 
They were entertained by the ladies at breakfast, and at an elegant 
banquet, were escorted throvigh the streets by a grand parade to the 
Tabernacle, where an immense assembly was gathered, presided over by 
Hon. John Wesley Gaines. Here they w^ere welcomed in eloquent 
words by Governor Benton McMillin, on the part of the Str.te ; by Hon. 
J. M. Head, Mayor of Nashville, on the part of the city ; and by Hon. 
Tully Brown, on behalf of all soldiers in this and former wars. 



Education, 287 



CHAPTER XLIX. 

EDUCATION. 

506. Early Education. — The earliest history of education in 
Tennessee is involved in obscurity. There was no public school system, 
and no records were kept. The early settlers were imbued with old 
English ideas, and did not view education as a matter of state. Yet, 
they were far from ignoring its importance. Many of the pioneers 
were men of culture and refinement, as may be seen from the few 
writings which they have left behind them, and they brought with them 
families of refined tastes and fairly grounded in the education of the 
times. When the pioneers of Washington District petitioned to be 
annexed to North Carolina, in 1776, the petition was signed by one 
hundred and ten citizens. Among this number, only two signatures 
were made by mark. May 13, 1780, the pioneers of Cumberland signed 
the "Articles of Agreement." Of the tw'o hundred and fifty-six signers, 
only one signed by mark. In such communities, we do not need records 
to prove that some provision was made for education. Yet, the lament- 
able absence of records renders it impossible to collect statistical infor- 
mation.^ 

507. The Home School. — In the communities from which these 
pioneers emigrated, nearly every home was a school. The home school 
transplanted to the wilderness, was more or less imperfect and irreg- 
ular ; yet it imparted elementary instruction, and sometimes higher 
instruction. It kept no record or statistics, and we know of its exist- 
ence only by incidental allusions, by fragmentary evidence, by legitimate 
inference from our knowledge of the characteristics of the people, and 
from the fact that their descendants gave evidence of scholastic attain- 
ments which must have been acquired in unrecorded schools. 

508. The Preacher-Teacher. — The dominant element in the first 
settlement of the State was the "Presbyterian Covenanter." Wherever 
this element might go there was certain to be a "preacher," and 
wherever there was a "preacher," there was certain to be a "school." 
The residence of the "preacher" in a community was evidence of the 

* Putnam, pp. 48, 100-102. 



288 HisTOEY OF Tennessee. 

existence of a "school;' historically as reliable as official records. These 
preachers gave the early impress to education in Tennessee, and were 
the founders of the first schools outside of the home schools. 

509. The First Schools in the State. — Accordingly, the first 
school in the State of which we have record evidence, and which is 
said to have been the first literary institution established in the Missis- 
sippi Valley,- was founded by Samuel Doak, a graduate of Princeton, 
and pastor of a Presbyterian Church at Salem, in Washington County, 
about the year 1780. It was chartered in 1783 by North Carolina, and 
named Martin Academy in honor of Governor Martin. It was re-char- 
tered by the "State of Franklin" in 1785, under the same name. In 
1795 it was incorporated by the Southwest Territory as Washington 
College. 

In 1785 another Presbyterian minister, Thomas Craighead,'" 
likewise a graduate of Princeton, came to Tennessee and settled at 
Haysboro, about six miles east of Nashville. Immediately there was 
built for him a rough stone building called the Spring Hill meeting 
house. In the same year Davidson Academy was chartered by the 
Legislature of North Carolina. At the first meeting of the trustees, 
in 1786, the Rev. Thos. Craighead was elected president, and Spring 
Hill meeting house was designated as the place where the school should 
be taught. Here Craighead taught for some twenty years, and on his 
foundation was built the University of Nashville. 

Rev. Samuel Carrick, a Presbyterian minister not less orthodox 
nor learned, yet more liberal and tolerant, established the first Presby- 
terian Church at Knoxville in 1789 or 1790.'* When the Legislature 
of the Southwest Territory chartered Blount College in 1794, the Act 
named the Rev. Samuel Carrick as its president. Blount College, in 
its process of development, became East Tennessee College, then East 
Tennessee L^niversity, and is now the University of Tennessee. Not 
to multiply examples, such were the first schools established in 
Tennessee. 

510. The Unrecorded Schools. — In addition to the schools that 
survived as permanent institutions, thus finding a place in the records, 
there were many schools which gained no place in history, and whose 
names even are unknown. An instance has been previously cited 

° Phelan's History of Tennessee, p. 233, referring to Monette. 
^ Thomas Craighead had no middle name. 

■* James Park, History of the First Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, 
Tennessee, pp. 11 and 14. 



Education. 289 

showing how the incidental alkisions of tlie early writers have uncon- 
sciously furnished evidence of the existence of schools throughout the 
country, of which they failed to make any formal record. April 21, 
1794,^ the Indians murdered the two Bledsoe boys near Drake's Creek 
in Sumner County. The historians in relating the murder state that 
the boys were murdered on their way home from school. Yet we have 
no record of the school, and its name is unknown to history. Tradition, 
and such incidental allusions, establish the fact that there were many 
such schools. 

511. The Compact of 1806. — The early schools in Tennessee 
were private enterprises, sustained by tuition fees and taught by the 
preacher-teacher. There was not so much as the suggestion of a free 
public school previous to the year 1806. In that year, as previously 
described in Chapter XXI, ante, the compact with the United States, 
generally known as the cession act, required Tennessee to set apart 
100,000 acres of land for two colleges, and 100,000 acres for establishing 
one academy in each county, and made provisions for public schools 
which will be hereafter described. 

512. The Colleges. — The impediments in the way of applying the 
grant of 100,000 acres to the use of the colleges, as provided by 
Congress, have been explained in Chapter XXI. By Act of Septem- 
ber 13, 1806, the General Assembly incorporated new^ colleges and 
enlarged the corporate powers of others. Two of these colleges were 
selected as the recipients of the college funds. 

. TJ]e University of Tennessee was the institution selected for East 
Tennessee. This institution has been known successively as Blount 
College, East Tennessee College, East Tennessee University. In 1879 
the Legislature changed its name to "University of Tennessee." After 
undergoing many vicissitudes, this institution was placed on a stable 
foundation in 1869, w'hen it received from the State of Tennessee a 
magnificent donation. The fund thus donated was derived from the 
Act of Congress, July 2, 1862, distributing to each of the several States 
30,000 acres of the public domain for each Senator and Representative 
in Congress, the proceeds to be applied to establishing one or more 
agricultural colleges. In 1869 Tennessee received land scrip to the 
amount of 300,000 acres as her ratable share. The scrip was sold, and 
reached the sum of $396,000. This entire sum was invested in State 
bonds, at par. bearing 6 per cent interest, and was donated by the State 

"See ante, paragraphs 194, 195. 



290 



History op Tennessee. 




Rev. T. W. Humes. 



to "East Tennessee University," upon certain conditions for establish- 
ing an agricultural college. Rev. Thomas W. Humes, at that time 

President, organized the University on a 
basis to correspond with its increased 
resources. In 1887 Congress made an 
annual appropriation to establish agricul- 
tural experiment stations. Tennessee's 
share wis $15,000 per annuyn. In 1890 
the Morrill Act was passed by Congress, 
under which Tennessee's share, beginning 
with $15,000 per annum, increases $1,000 
each year until it reaches $25,000. The 
State bestowed both these funds on the 
University of Tennessee. The University 
now has an endowment fund of $426,000, 
and owns property valued at $780,000. It 
has an annual income of abovit $70,000. In 
addition to its Literary and Agricultural Departments it maintains 
departments of Law, Medicine, and Dentistry.*^ 

TJie University of Nashville and Peabody Normal College is the 
present name of the institution which was selected to receive one-half 
of the college funds derived from the compact of 1806. This institution 
has been known successively as Davidson Academy (1785-1803), 
Cumberland College (1803-1826), and the University of Nashville 
(1826). Since 1875 it has borne the name of the '^University of Nash- 
ville and Peabody Normal College." Being eleven years older than "the 
State, this pioneer institution has experienced many vicissitudes, and 
has gained strength in overcoming them. Its early history is illus- 
trated by the nam«.s of Thomas Craighead,'^ James Priestly, William 
Hume, Nathaniel Cross, Gerard Troost, and Philip Lindsley. During 
Philip Lindsley's long administration (1825 to 1850) the College had 
expanded into a university, and became a beacon light in the education 
of the West. In 1851 was established the pioneer medical college, 
which subsequently became the great medical college of the West. 
During the civil war the Literary Department was closed, but the 

' Sanford's Blount College and University of Tennessee; Merriam's Higher 
Education in Tennessee, Article by T. C. Karns. 

' His name is often given as "Thomas B. Craighead." This is an error. 
He had no middle name. See National Cyclopedia of American Biography — 
Sketch corrected by his grandson. 



Education. 



291 




Philip I,indsley, LX,. D. 

Department the University 



Medical Department remained in operation. After the close of the 
war the Literary Department was opened as a military school, under 
Gen. E. Kirby Smith and Gen. 
Bushrod Johnson. In 1875 the Pea- 
body Normal College was estab- 
lished, and was especially designed 
for the professional training of 
teachers. The University Course 
provides for a liberal education and 
confers the Bachelor and Master's 
degrees. In 1888 the distinguished 
educator. Dr. William H. Payne, 
was elected Chancellor. The insti- 
tution is now supported by a lilieral 
appropriation from the Peabody 
Fund, supplemented by an annual 
appropriation of $20,000 from the 
State. In addition to the Literar); 
maintains a Medical Department and a College of Music, and two 
allied schools, the Montgomery Bell Academy and the Winthrop Model 
School. In all departments it has an attendance of about 1,400 
students.^ 

In addition to the State institutions there are many other colleges 
and universities in Tennessee. The various religious denominations 
of the South have selected Tennessee as the most healthful and central 
location for their institutions of high grade. Among these are : The 
Cumberland University, founded by the Cumberland Presbyterians, 
and located at Lebanon; the Southwestern Presbyterian University, at 
Clarksville ; the Southwestern Baptist University, at Jackson ; the 
University of the South, founded by the Episcopalians, at Sewanee ; 
Vanderbilt University, founded by the Methodists, at Nashville ; Grant 
University, founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church, at Athens 
and Chattanooga ; Carson and Newman College, Baptist, at Mossy 
Creek ; Christian Brothers' College, Catholic, at Memphis ; Washington 
College, Presbyterian, Salem ; Greeneville and Tusculum College, Tus- 
culum ; Maryville College, Presbyterian, Maryville ; Hiwassee College. 
Methodist, Monroe County ; Bethel College, McKenzie, Cumberland 

* See Merriam's Higher Education, with Bibliography, pp. 20-62. See. also, 
Report of Committee on Education, prepared by Hon. James H. Bate, and made 
to the Legislature in 1897. 



292 



History of Tennessee. 



y^ 





Cornelius Vanderbilt. 



Presbyterian ; Milligan College, Christian Church, Milligan ; Bible 
School, Disciples, Nashville ; King College, Presbyterian, Bristol. 

There are other colleges, not under 
denominational control, such as the 
Winchester Normal College, at Win- 
chester, and Burritt College, at Spen- 
cer. 

From the number of its higher 
institutions Tennessee has derived 
the name of the "University State 
of the South." Many of them are 
doing valuable work of various 
gradv's. Some of them, lacking ade- 
quate endowment funds, show good 
judgment in limiting their work to 
their conditions and environments. 
One of the institutions above named 
has received a munificent endowment, and another had the prospect of 
being the wealthiest institution of the South, when its expected endow- 
ment was lost, in large part, by the intervention of the Civil War. 

Vanderbilt University was founded by the Alethodist Church. 
While the Church was engaged in the work of accumulating a fund to 
establish a college on an adequate foundation, Cornelius Vanderbilt, a 
wealthy citizen of New York, popularly known as Commodore 
Vanderbilt, contributed a magnificent donation. This contribution 
was made through Bishop H. N. McTyeire, the first President of the 
Board of Trust. The Board was thus enabled to establish a real 
University on a foundation befitting a great 
institution of learning. It was opened for stu- .^'^^<i 

dents in 1875. I" addition to its literary de- 5I ' ^^ 

partment it maintains departments of Theology, 
Medicine, Law, Dentistry, Pharmacy, and 
Engineering. 

This institution, while under control of the 
Methodist Church, provides a university course 
of instruction free from sectarian bias. Since 
its establishment it has received additional dona- 
tions from the descendants of Commodore Van- 
derbilt. 

The University of the South would, perhaps, have been the most 
largely endowed institution in the South had not the Civil War 




Bishop H. N. McTyeire. 




Education. 293 

interrupted the plans of its founders. The idea of founding a great 
university, located in the healthful region of the Cumberland plateau, 
and far removed from the temptations which beset 
young men, originated with Rt. Rev. James 
Hervey Otey, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of 
Tennessee. Aided by Bishop Leonidas Polk and 
others, he secured large donations of land and 
money. The institution was chartered by Ten- 
nessee in 1858. Before the plans of the founders 
could mature the Civil War intervened. After 
the close of the war Bishop Quintard took up the 
work, and the Junior Department of the Univer- 
sity was opened September 18, 1868. The death bishop 
of Bishops Otey and Polk, and the impoverishment J^'^^" ^=^^^^ °^'=^"- 
of the friends whose wealth and liberality were relied on, prevented the 
magnificent endowment which was expected. Large amounts of 
money, however, were raised by the zealous efforts of Bishop C. T. 
Quintard, and the University was put into efficient operation. It now 
has a large attendance of students, and enjoys a high reputation. 

Female education has received especial attention in Tennessee. 
The first institution for the separate training of females was founded 
by Moses Fisk. Subsequently many such institutions, "academies," 
"seminaries," "institutes," "colleges for young ladies," were established 
all over the State. Some of these have developed into excellent 
institutions, and have attained high reputation, attracting large 
numbers of pupils from outside of the State, and especially from the 
more Southern States. 

There are institutions for giving professional instruction in law, 
medicine, theology, pharmacy, dentistry, engineering, pedagogics, art, 
manual training, business education, etc. Some of these schools are 
departments of the great universities, and others operate under inde- 
pendent organizations. 

After the close of the war various religious denominations estab- 
lished institutions of high grade for the education of negroes. Among 
these are : Fisk University, Roger Williams University, Central Ten- 
nessee College, Le Moyne Institute, Knoxville College. These 
institutions receive aid from the Slater Fund, and are in prosperous 
condition. Jubilee Hall, at Fisk University, was built by the proceeds 
derived from the European tour of the famous "Jubilee Singers." 



294 History of Tennessee. 

513. The Academies. — In pursuance of the Academy grant of the 
United States in 1806, the Legislature, by the Act of September 13, 
1806, incorporated 27 academies, one for each county, and made them 
recipients of so much of the Academy Fund as could be made available. 
This fund was insufficient for endowments. It was supplemented in 
most of the counties by private subscriptions, and was devoted to 
building purposes. Good and substantial structures were erected, 
some of which are still standing and are now used as public schools. 
These academies were maintained by tuition fees, and were practically 
private schools. For many years they gave direction to education in 
the State. 

These academies were not sufficiently distributed to meet the wants 
of education. To meet the necessity for more schools a number of 
academies, seminaries, etc., before mentioned, were established by 
private donations, by social orders, and by religious denominations, 
and many other schools were established by teachers as private enter- 
prises. These academies, seminaries, and private schools constituted 
the educational system of the State until 1873. In 1823 the germ of 
the public school system was planted, but it did not bear fruit for many 
years." 

514. The Grant to Public Schools. — In the compact of 1806 it 
was provided, in addition to the lands to be set apart for colleges and 
academies, that where existing claims would permit, six hundred and 
forty acres in every six miles square of the territory north and east of 
the Congressional line should be appropriated for the use of schools for 
the instruction of children forever.^" The endowment, which, on its 
face, seems so munificent, failed practically on account of the interfer- 
ence of "existing claims." 

Some of our far-seeing statesmen, among whom James K. Polk 
was conspicuous, made strenuous efforts to have the deficiency made 
good out of the unappropriated land in the Congressional reservation. 

515. Petitioning Congress. — As a member of the Tennessee 
Legislature in 1824, Mr. Polk was the author of a memorial to 
Congress, which presented in unanswerable argument the duty of 
Congress to make good to Tennessee, for the use of common schools, 
the proportion of public lands within her borders that had been donated 

"Report of Superintendent of Public Instruction for Tennessee, 1891, pp. 
22-26. 

^"Acts of 1806, Chapter X, Section 2 ; 2 Haywood & Cobb's Laws, p. 13. 



Education. 295 

for that purpose to every other Territory and State erected out of the 
pubhc domain. Two years later, as a member of Congress, he prepared 
the able report of the select committee to whom the memorial of the 
Tennessee Legislature was referred. 

In all these proceedings it appeared beyond controversy : 

1. That it had been the uniform custom of Congress to appropriate 
one thirty-sixth part of the public domain to the cause of education in 
the district where it lay. 

2. That by this rule the State of Tennessee was entitled to 666,666 
acres for school purposes. 

3. That of the 444,444 acres which Congress authorized the State 
to appropriate north and east of the Congressional line, only 22,705 
acres were open to appropriation. 

4. And that of the 222,222 acres which she ought to have been 
allowed south and west of the Congressional line, she was not author- 
ized to appropriate a single acre, although the connuissioner of the 
general land ofifice reported that "whatever disposition may be made 
of the unappropriated lands south and west of the Congressional 
boundary line, the uniform practice of the government would require 
that a quantity of land equal to one thirty-sixth part of the whole dis- 
trict should be appropriated for the use of schools.'"'^ 

But on account of the jealousy of the old against the new States on 
the subject of the public lands within their limits. Congress could not be 
induced to take any action in the matter.^ - 

516. First Public School Law. — In 1823 the Legislature passed 
the first public school law enacted in this State. ^' But the system of 
public schools established, if it may be called a system, was peculiarly 
unfortunate. It provided that the school commissioners should apply 
the public funds to the education of the poor, either by establishing 
"poor schools" in their different counties, or by paying the tuition of 
poor children in other schools, and in the purchase of books for the use 
of such children. Its tendency and effect was to bring the public 
schools into such disrepute that they were for many years called "poor 
schools." 

"American State Papers, Public Lands, Vol. V, 353. 

^"Address of the Democratic Members of Congress from the State of Ten- 
nessee to their constituents, 1841, pp. 14, 15. 

"Acts of 1823, Chapter XLIX, Sections 12-17. inclusive; 2 Haywood & 
Cobbs' Laws, p. 113. Proceedings of the Seventh and Eighth Annual Sessions 
of the Tennessee State Teachers' Association, 1871 and 1873, p. 27. 



296 History of Tennessee. 

517. The Public School Fund. — Convinced that Congress could 
not be relied on to make good the proportion of the public lands which 
the State ought to have received for the benefit of public schools, the 
Legislature set itself earnestl)- to work to estabHsh a public school fund 
out of the resources of the State. The provision for a school fund, in the 
Act of 1823, was too insignificant to be of value, except as a first step 
in the direction of a public system. A small addition was made 
to it in 1825, and a substantial fund was provided in 1827, which the 
Constitution of 1834 declared should be a perpetual fund, whose prin- 
cipal should never be diminished by legislative appropriation, and the 
interest of which should be inviolably appropriated to the support and 
encouragement of common schools. 

518. Inadequate School Laws. — For many years the State made 
feeble efforts to encourage public schools. Laws were passed in 1829, 
1837, 1844-5, ^1^ were little more than statutory exhortations, and rad- 
ically defective in failing to provide adequate revenue for the svtpport of 
the schools. 

The people did not demand a system of public schools, which were 
still reproached with the name of "poor schools." All their antece- 
dents and traditions had led them to view private schools with more 
confidence and favor. They distrusted the efficiency and economy of 
a system of free public schools, and the repeated failure of efforts to 
maintain such a system had not tended to remove their prejudices.^* 

519. The Nashville Public Schools. — The first long stride towards 
a more efficient system was made by the city of Nashville. Professor 
J. H. Ingraham came to reside in that city in 1847. His attention 
being drawn to the condition of the public schools, he determined to try 
to improve them. He proposed a plan, modeled on the schools in New 
Orleans and Natchez, which he presented in an address to a town 
meeting in 1848.^^ The city authorities took the matter up with great 
enthusiasm. By their order, in i8;;2. Alderman Alfred Hume, himself 
a distinguished teacher, visited the cities of Cleveland, Boston, Provi- 
dence, Philadelphia and Baltimore "^or the purpose of examining their 
systems of public schools, and on his return submitted an able and 
useful report.^" 

" See Tennessee School Report, 1891, p. 34. 

" Report upon a proposed system of public education for the city of Nash- 
ville, respectfully addressed to its citizens : Nashville, 1848. 

^''Report on the subject of Public Schools in the City of Nashville, made to 
the Board of Mayor and Aldermen, by Alfred Hume, August 31, 1852. 



Education. 297 

The Nashville system of public schools was put in operation in 
1855, and was a valuable object-lesson to the whole State. Its first 
public school building was named "The Hume School." 

520. The First State Tax. — Governor Cannon, in his message in 
1837, was the first governor to suggest the true remedy, but his recom- 
mendation was not heeded. Andrew Johnson made a stronger and 
more successful efl^ort. In his message in 1853 he urged a State appro- 
priation to maintain schools. He says: "If we are sincere in what we 
profess for the cause of education, we should, without hesitation, pro- 
vide means to accomplish it. There is one way, if no other, that the 
children of the State can be educated, which is obvious to all, and that 
is, to levy and collect a tax from the people of the whole State, or to 
authorize the county courts, separately, to do so in their respective 
counties, iii such manner as may be deemed by them most acceptable 
to the people, sufficient in amount, when added to our present school 
fund, to give life and energy to our dying, or dead, system of common 
school education. "^^ Accordingly the Legislature passed an Act taxing 
all the property of the State for school purposes, under which the fund 
available for pul)lic schools was doubled. This was the first school 
tax ever levied l\v the State. But the law was defective in many 
respects, and the Civil War came on before any successful system of 
public schools was put in operation. 

521. First Efficient System. — The results of the Civil War 
changed the whole aspect of public education in Tennessee. In July, 
1865, the Tennessee State Teachers' Association was organized, with 
Rev. Thos. W. Humes, President of East Tennessee University, as 
president, and passed resolutions favoring free schools. A bill was 
introduced into the Legislature for the "Reorganization, Supervision, 
and Maintenance of Common Schools," in October, 1865, but did not 
become a law until March, 1867. This law was based on the old law, 
with the important additions of: 

1. State and county Superintendents. 

2. The levy of an increased State school tax. 

3. Authority for school districts to levy tax for school purposes; 
but this provision was declared unconstitutional by the courts. 

4. Extending the benefits of public education to both white and 
black children, to be taught in separate schools. 

" Message of Andrew Johnson, Governor of Tennessee, 1853, pp. 6, 7. 



298 History op Tennessee. 

Gen. John Eaton, Jr., who was elected State Superintendent of 
Pubhc Instruction in August, 1867, gave earnest and diHgent attention 
to the duties of his office, but he had difficulties to encounter which it 
was impossible for him to overcome. In 1870 the Legislature unwisely 
repealed the law of 1867, and remitted the support of the public schools 
to the action of the several counties. 

522. The State Teachers' Association to the Rescue. — At a meet- 
ing of the State Teachers' Association in December, 1870, Dr. Barnas 
Sears, agent of the Peabody Fund, was present by invitation, and 
agreed to pay the salary of an officer to canvass the State to advocate 
the establishment of an efficient school system. Dr. Morrow, the State 
Treasurer, was c.v officio Superintendent of Public Instruction. He 
agreed to appoint as his assistant any person selected by the Associa- 
tion. Mr. J. P. Killebrew was unanimously chosen by the Association, 
and Superintendent Morrow made him his assistant. Mr. Killebrew 
put great energy and intelligence into his work, and embodied its 
results in an excellent report to the Legislature, which was ordered 
printed, and widely circulated.^® The statistics gathered by the Assist- 
ant Superintendent were sufficient to demonstrate the inefficiency of 
the system adopted under the Act of 1870, and did much to incline 
public sentiment to a better system. 

523. The Present System Adopted. — The school law passed by the 
Legislature in 1873 was a bill drafted and recommended by a commit- 
tee of the State Teachers' Association, of which S. Y. Caldwell was 
chairman, and is entitled "An Act to establish and maintain a uniform 
system of public schools." It provides for State and County Superin- 
tendents of Public Instruction, and combines the State, county, and 
district systems. The permanent school fund of $1,500,000, ascer- 
tained and declared by Section 946 of the Code, together with the 
interest accrued thereon during the war, amounting to $1,012,500, were 
funded into a certificate of indebtedness for $2,512,500 bearing six per 
cent interest. The interest on the permanent school fund was supple- 
mented by a tax of one mill on the dollar levied by the State for school 
purposes, and by a State poll tax of $1. The counties and school 
districts were also authorized to levy taxes for the benefit of their local 
schools, but the provision respecting districts was found to be uncon- 
stitutional and was repealed in 1875. 

" Proceedings of the Seventh and Eighth Annual Sessions of the Tennessee 
State Teachers' Association, held in the city of Nashville, on November i and 2, 
1871, and on January 22 and 23, 1873, pp. 15-17. 



Education. 299 

524. The Growth of the Public School System.— When the pubHc 
school system was instituted in 1873, it was regarded l)y many as an 
experiment. It was established in the face of strong opposition, and 
was obnoxious to the views and prejudices of a large proportion of the 
people. Its growth has demonstrated the wisdom of its founders. It 
has steadily improved in scope and efficiency, and has become engrafted 
in the affections of the people. There is no institution of their State 
in which Tennesseans now take a greater pride. Each successive Leg- 
islature has contributed to the upbuilding. The State tax for its 
support has been increased to fifteen cents on the hundred dollars. The 
counties have been given additional powers, and nearly every county 
has increased the county revenues for its maintenance. The restric- 
tions of the State Constitution prohibit the General Assembly from 
conferring on the school districts the power to levy taxes, yet the 
General Assembly has done all that is permitted in favor of local taxa- 
tion by conferring on all municipal corporations the power to lew 
taxes for school purposes, and nearly every numicipal corporation in 
the State has taken advantage of the privilege. 

525. Extension of the Course of Study. — The public school course 
has been extended by the enactment of the Secondary School law in 
1 89 1, which was framed in accordance with the wise recommendation 
of Governor Buchanan, to expand the curriculum, but not to impair 
"the efficiency of elementary instruction, which is, and always must be, 
the foundation of every good school system." In 1899 an additional 
step was taken by the enactment of the High School law, which confers 
on the several counties the power to establish High Schools, and thus 
render the school course of the county complete. Other important 
legislation has been enacted. The several steps of development have 
been heretofore enumerated chronologically, under the respective 
gubernatorial administrations. 

526. The Peabody Education Fund. — The establishment of the 
public school system was greatly aided, and its subsequent development 
has been promoted by the important cooperation of the General Agents 
of the Peabody Fund. The great philanthropist, George Peabody, a 
native of Alassachusetts, and for many years a resident of England, in 
1867 made a donation amounting to about $2,000,000 for the benefit of 
education in the Southern States. In the same year the Tennessee 
State Teachers' Association had secured the adoption of an efficient 
public school law in the State. When this law was repealed in 1870 
Governor Neill S. Brown, Dr. J. Berrien Lindsley, and other warm 




300 History of Tennessee. 

friends of education invoked the aid of the Peabody Board to assist in 
the effort to re-establish a pubHc school system. Hon. Samuel Watson, 

of Nashville, who was a member of the 
Peabody Board, gave to this movement 
his earnest sympathy and influence. The 
i53i ^Ci, result was the passage of the present 

school law in 1873, and the establishment 
of the Peabody Normal College in 1875. 
In aid of these movements, the Peabody 
fund furnished the means to put Col. Kil- 
lebrew in the field in 1870, to put the State 
Institutes in operation in 1874, to main- 
george peauody. ^^^" them until 1891, when the State made 

its first appropriation, and to aid in their 
support ever since. In addition to this the Peabody fund stimulated 
the growth of the school system by aiding in the establishment of 
high graded schools in municipal corporations. It conferred upon the 
State the signal benefit of maintaining the Peabody Normal College 
until the State made its first appropriation in 1881, since which time the 
Peabody Board has aided the College by liberal appropriations. After 
the death of Dr. Sears Hon. J. L. M. Curry was appointed General 
Agent of the Peabody fund. His wise administration has led to 
increased liberality in the appropriations, and to expansion in the use- 
fulness of the Normal College and of the Teachers' Institutes. 

The school system is in prosperous condition, but is not complete. 
The average school term is too short. The secondary school is not 
compulsory. There is a gap between the secondary school and the 
college, and the county high school law has not been put into successful 
operation. Now that provisions have been made by law for the increase 
of State revenues and for the gradual liquidation of the public debt, it 
would appear that the time is near at hand when the State can take the 
final steps to render its school system complete. 



The Present Time. 301 



CHAPTER L. 

THE PRESENT TIME. 

527. The Trend of Development. — During- the past thirty years 
the attention of the people of Tennessee has been directed, as never 
before, to the physical and industrial development of the State, and to 
its sanitary, social, and educational conditions. This public sentiment 
has found expression partly in legislative enactments establishing State 
institutions, and partly in popular movements forming corporations for 
industrial and commercial enterprises and founding societies for benev- 
olent, educational, sanitary, historical, social, and literary purposes. 

528. State Institutions. — During the thirty years preceding the 
war the energy of the State was directed mainly to establishing means 
of transportation. Turnpikes and railroads were constructed, canals 
and river improvements were projected. The term "internal improve- 
ments" was limited in its application to "the means of transportation," 
which at that time was the pressing need of the State. By the consti- 
tution of 1870 State aid to corporations was abruptly terminated, and 
county and municipal aid to corporations was carefully guarded. As 
soon as the immediate issues of the war had been settled, the State 
began legislation to regulate railroads and transportation companies. 
About the same time attention was turned to "internal improvements" 
in the broader sense. The State began the policy of aiding in the 
improvement of the agricultural, industrial, and social conditions, not 
through the intervention of corporations, but by establishing bureaus 
and commissions as direct agencies of the State. 

Public Education was taken under the care of the State, is now 
supported by taxation and is placed under control of a State Superin- 
tendent, with local county and district officers. The State makes 
appropriations to three institutions purely educational, the Peabody 
Normal College, the University of Tennessee, and the Summer Normal 
Institutes; and four institutions partly educational and partly char- 
itable, the Institution for the Deaf and Dumb, the Tennessee School 
for the Blind, the Watkins Institute, and the Tennessee Industrial 
School. 



302 History of Tennessee. 

Agriculture is under the care of a State Commissioner and a corps 
of assistants, who hold Farmers' Institutes, inspect commercial fertil- 
izers, and distribute valuable information. This department has done 
much to improve the agricultural interests of the State. 

Labor receives State attention. Its interests are provided for by 
the establishment of a bureau under charge of the Commissioner of 
Labor. 

Sanitation was a lesson slowly learned. The epidemics at length 
pointed out the necessity for State action. The State Board of Health 
was established, and has rendered service far more important than is 
generally conceded to it. Its work is the work of prevention. When 
we escape dangers we do not always recognize the hand that warded 
them ofif. Dr. W. J. McMurray is the President of this Board, and 
Dr. J. A. Albright is the Secretary. 

TJie Board of Railroad Commissioners is charged with important 
duties in the regulation of railroads and other public corporations.^ 

The Penitentiary is under the direction of the Board of Prison 
Commissioners, who also constitute the Board of Pardons. The 
abolition of the "Lease System" enabled the State to control the con- 
victs and to establish the present humane and excellent prison system. - 

The Board of State Charities, of which Rev. J. A. Orman is Presi- 
dent, was created by the General Assembly May 14, 1895. The Act 
provides : 

"They shall investigate the whole system of public charities and correctional 
institutions of the State, examine into the condition and management thereof, 
especially of prisons, jails, infirmaries, public hospitals, and asylums, and the 
officers in charge of all such institutions shall furnish to the board, on their 
request, such information and statistics as they may require 

"The board may appoint a secretary, and shall prepare and print, for the 
use of the Legislature, a full and complete report of all their doings, stating fully 
and in detail all proceedings had, showing the exact condition of all State institu- 
tions under their control, with such suggestions as they may deem necessary and 
pertinent as to the management and conduct thereof." 

The report of this Board to the Fiftieth General Assembly sets 
forth that the county jails and asylums are not, in general, conducted on 
humane and sanitary principles. The Board appointed a County Board 
of Visitors in each county to give attention to ameliorating the condi- 

^ See pages 282, 28,1. 
' See pages 282, 297. 



The Present Time. 303 

tion of the county institutions. Since the date of the report, December 
31, 1896, the condition of the county institutions has been greatly 
improved. The Board highly commended the condition of the State 
institutions, and reported the following statistics, showing the institu- 
tions supported by the State and counties and the total number of 
inmates in each : 

State penitentiary and branch prisons i,So8 

Three State hospitals for the insane 1,064 

Ninety-three county jails 833 

Eighty-nine county asylums 1,858 

Tennessee School for the BHnd 102 

Tennessee Industrial School 630 

Tennessee School for the Deaf and Dumb 183 

Confederate Soldiers' Home 91 

Total 6,269 

Since the date of this report there have been important changes. 
Some of the institutions have been largely increased. In 1900 the num- 
ber of inmates at the Confederate Soldiers' Home had increased to 123. 
The report does not include the list of Confederate pensioners, 908 in 
number, who receive from the State an annual appropriation of 
$100,000. 

The report makes no mention of the JVatkins Institute, which is 
founded upon the bequest of Mr. Samuel Watkins, and located in 
Nashville. Mr. Watkins donated to the State of Tennessee, as 
trustee, a fund for the benefit of laboring men. The State accepted 
the trust and appointed a board of commissioners to manage the prop- 
erty, which is valued at $200,000. The commissioners are Hon. John 
M. Lea, Mr. John Hill Eakin, and Mr. John M. Bass. The Institute 
maintains a night school, open free of charge to all white citizens of 
the State, and which has an annual attendance of about 300 pupils. It 
also furnishes a home to the Tennessee Historical Society and the 
Howard Library. 

The State Library is a valuable institution, and contains an exten- 
sive collection of books, maps, charts, pictures, etc. Unfortunately 
the State has never supplied the library with adequate appropriations, 
and has burdened the Supreme Court with its management. It needs 
a special Library Board, much larger appropriations for its support, 
and better accommodations and facilities. 



304 History of Tennessee. 

529. Organizations Independent of the State. — Many organiza- 
tions have been formed among the people which exercise an important 
influence in the "coiiimon weal." The Act of 1875 estabHshed a 
general law for the formation of corporations. Under this law many 
corporations were formed to promote commercial and industrial enter- 
prises, such as mining, railway, insurance, manufacturing, publishing, 
electric companies, chambers of commerce, etc. Charters were also 
issued to companies for benevolent, social, religious, literary, educa- 
tional, historical, and other purposes not for individual profit. 

530. National Benevolent and Social Organizations. — Nearly all 
the great national organizations of benevolent or social character have 
branches in Tennessee, which are doing a great work in the interest of 
religion and morality. Every denomination of protestants, the Cath- 
olic, Jewish, and other Churches are represented in the State. The 
Masons, Odd Fellows, Red Men, Knights of Pythias, Knights of 
Honor, Knights and Ladies of Honor, Legion of Honor, Royal 
Arcanum, United Workmen, National Union, Young Men's Christian 
Association, various temperance societies, and other similar organi- 
zations have found Tennessee a congenial soil for the growth of all 
that elevates humanity. 

531. National Historical Associations. — There are three of these 
associations, formed to perpetuate the history of the colonial period 
and the Revolution, which have established branches in Tennessee. 
The Colonial Dames give attention to all matters connected with events 
of the colonial period. The Daughters of the American Revolution 
are especially interested in the history of the Revolution. "The Sons 
of the American Revolution" is an organization having in view the 
same general purpose as the Daughters of the Revolution, but has a 
small membership and has not been active. 

532. The Grand Army of the Republic. — This National Associa- 
tion is a patriotic organization, formed by the soldiers who participated 
on the Union side during the Civil War. Men whose hearts have felt 
the warm sentiments of comradeship which bind those who have fought 
in a common cause and have shared dangers together, have always 
shown a desire to perpetuate the friendships and memories of the 
struggle in which they were engaged. The Grand Army of the 
Republic was organized for social, historical, and benevolent purposes, 
to promote comradeship in its local Posts, and to afford at its general 
reunions the opportunity for comrades to enjoy each others' society. 



The Present Time. 305 

The Department of Tennessee consists of 102 Posts. The State 
Headquarters are at Knoxville. The officers are : H. Crumbliss, Com- 
mander; Frank Seaman, Assistant Adjutant General. 

The Department of Tennessee, W. R. C, has its Headquarters at 
Knoxville, with Mrs. Josephine C. Zeigler as President, and Mrs. Tillie 
Rankin as Secretary. 

The Division of Alabama and Tennessee Sons of Veterans, has 
headquarters at Knoxville, with H. T. Cooper Colonel Commanding, 
and E, E. Carter, Adjutant. 

National Cemeteries. — There are seven National Cemeteries in 
Tennessee, wherein are graves of Union soldiers in number as given 
below : 

Chattanooga — known, 8,157 ; unknown, 4,969 ; total 13,126 

Fort Donctson — known, 160; unknown, 511; total 671 

Knoxvilte — known, 2,175 ; unknown, 1,047 ! total 3,222 

Memphis — known, 5,192 ; unknown, 8,822 ; total 14,014 

Nashville — known, 11,904 ; unknown, 4,711 ; total 16,615 

SJiiloh — known, 1,238 ; unknown, 2,367 ; total 3>6o5 

Murfrccsboro — known, 3,817; unknown, 2,333; total 6,150 

Aggregate 57.503 



533. Special Tennessee Associa- 
tions. — These associations include the 
Tewnessee Historical Society, the Medi- 
cal Society, the Press Association, the 
Bar Association, the State Teachers' As- 
sociation, the Public School Officers' 
Association, the Ladies' Hermitage As- 
sociation, and other similar societies, and 
the Association of Confederate Soldiers. 
There are three other Confederate Asso- 
ciations which have branches in the 
Southern States. 

534. Tennessee Historical Society. 
— The Tennessee Antiquarian Society 
was organized in 1819, with Judge John 
Haywood as its President. This was the 

first historical society in Tennessee. It was organized while Judge 
Haywood was collecting materials for his Civil and Political History 




Ji'DGB John Haywood. 



3o6 



History of Tennesskk. 





of Tennessee, which was pubUshed in 1823. Judge Haywood is 

regarded as the father of Tennessee history, his work having been the 

first comprehensive history of the 
State. He has preserved a great store 
of vahiable material relating to the set- 
tlement of the State. He is also the 
author of a Natural and Aboriginal 
History of Tennessee, as well as a 
number of other works, mostly legal. 
He died in 1826. 

After the stimulus afforded by 
Haywood's investigations had sub- 
sided, the Antiquarian Society was 
suffered to go out of existence. In 
1849 s "sw Historical Society was 
organized, with Prof. Nathaniel Cross 
Col. A. w. Putnam. as President, but it did not last long. 

The Society was not put on a perma- 

.nent basis until 1857, when a new organization was effected, with Col, 

A. W. Putnam as President. Colonel Putnam was then engaged in 

the preparation of his extensive and painstaking Plistory of Middle 

Tennessee, which was brought out in 1859. ^^^ continued to act as 

President until the meetings of the Society were interrupted by the 

Civil War. He died in 1869. 

After the war the Society was not 

reorganized until 1874, At that time Dr. 

J. G. M. Ramsey was elected President. "j-.. 

Dr. Ramsey was the first native historian ^' ''" 

of Tennessee. He published his Annals 

of Tennessee in 1853. This volume only 

brought the history of the State down to 

1800, but he prepared a second volume 

and had it ready for the press, but it was 

destroyed when his house was burned 

during the Civil War. His work has 

always been accorded a high rank among 

State histories. 

Dr. Ramsey continued to act as 

President of the Tennessee Historical Society until his deatli in 1884, 




Dr. J. G. M. Ramsey. 



The Present Time. 



307 




Judge John M. Lea. 



■when the present venerable and able President, Judge John M. Lea, 
was elected to succeed him. Judge Lea has been an inspiration to the 
Society, which, under his guidance, is doing much to preserve and 
honor the history of the State. The pres- 
ent officers of the Society are Judge John ^ 
M. Lea, President; Gov. James D. Porter, 
Gen. Gates P. Thruston, and Col. William 
A. Henderson, Vice-Presidents ; Joseph 
S. Carels, Librarian and Treasurer; John 
M. Bass, Recording Secretary, and Robert 
T. Quarles, Corresponding Secretary. 

535. Medical Society of Tennessee. 
— The State Medical Society was incor- 
porated in 1830 and organized with Dr. 
James Roane, son of Gov. Archibald 
Roane, as President, and Dr. Lunsford P. 
Yandell, afterwards of Transylvania Uni- 
versity, as Corresponding Secretary. The 
Society has had a remarkably successful 

career. Its annual sessions have been held regularly, with the excep- 
tion of a few years' intermission during the Civil War. Its transac- 
tions have been printed from year to year, and form a series of valuable 
historical as well as scientific publications. 

536. Tennessee Press Association. — There was no regular press 
association in Tennessee previous to 1870, though a number of gentle- 
men of the press had been in the habit of meeting for business or social 
reasons from time to time for reveral years. Their membership was 
few and their meetings informal. At a meeting in December, 1870, it 
was determined to effect a permanent organization. A call was issued 
jand the first regular meeting of the Tennessee Press Association was 
held in Nashville on February 3, 1871. At this meeting Mr. George E. 
Purvis was elected President and Dr. R. L. C. White Secretary. From 
that time the Association has held annual meetings and published inter- 
esting journals of its proceedings. 

Bar Association of Tennessee. — The first meeting of the State Bar 
Association was held at Bon Aqua Springs, July 4, 1882. Judge 
William F. Cooper, of the Supreme Bench, was its first President, and 
Mr. James C. Bradford, Secretary and Treasurer. It has had 1 
marked influence on the legislation of the State in matters touching the 



3o8 History of Tennessee. 

courts, such, for instance, as the costs of criminal prosecutions, and its 
voluminous published proceedings abound in valuable biographical and 
ihistorical papers. 

537. The Ladies' Hermitage Association. — This is a patriotic 
society of ladies, formed for the purpose of preserving the memory of 
Andrew Jackson. The Hermitage mansion, twelve miles from Nash- 
ville, with all its furniture and relics, together with 25 acres of land, 
was, by Act of the Legislature in 1889, entrusted to the care of this 
Association.^ 

538. The Educational Associations. — The origin of these two 
associations has been previously discussed.* They are now invaluable 
factors in formulating educational sentiment in the State. 

The State Teachers' Association holds annual meetings during the 
summer vacation, and has visited nearly every important town in the 
State. Its membership is open to all educators and friends of educa- 
tion. Some of its most efficient members have not been practical 
teachers. At one period of its history, after having accomplished the 
great purpose of securing the enactment of the public school law in 
1873, the energy of its leaders relaxed, and it remained for a time in an 
inert condition. It was revived during the administration of Superin- 
tendent Leon Trousdale. Maj. John W. Paulett served as Chairman 
of the Executive Committee from 1875 to 1881, and inaugurated the 
policy of holding the annual meetings in the summer vacation at various 
points in the State. This policy has been pursued ever since, and has 
resulted in attracting the cooperation of all the educational interests. 
Prof. J. L. Brooks is now the President, and Prof. R. L. McDonnold is 
the Secretary. 

The Public School Officers' Association is limited in membership to 
teachers and officers immediately connected with the public school sys- 
tem. Since its foundation by Superintendent Smith in 1888, it has 
been a valuable adjunct to the school system. It meets at the State 
Capitol in Nashville annually, in the month of January, and has a 
large attendance from all portions of the State. Its officers are : Supt. 
Samuel Hixson, President ; Prof. Frank Goodman, Secretary. 

539. The Public Libraries. — Public Libraries had been established 
in the principal cities and in many of the larger towns previous to 1897, 
and were maintained by fees and by the donations of private liberality. 

^ See page 270. 
* Ante, page 269. 



The Present Time. 309 

111 1897 the Legislature enacted the Public Library law, empowering 
the municipal corporations to levy a special tax for the support of public 
libraries. Under this law an impetus was given to this important 
agency for promoting culture. Hon. James H. Bate, of Sumner 
County, offered a bill in 1897 to provide for public school libraries, 
which passed the Senate but was tabled in the House. It was unfortu- 
nate for the school interests that this bill failed to become a law. 

540. The Confederate Associations. — There are four Confederate 
Associations : The Association of Confederate Soldiers, Tennessee 
Division ; the United Confederate Veterans, the United Daughters of 
the Confederacy, and the Sons of Confederate Soldiers. All these 
organizations are patriotic in spirit, and the United States has no citi- 
zens more true and loyal than their members. Their sentiments are 
expressed below in their own language, as quoted from the report of 
the Committee on History, which was unanimously adopted at the gen- 
eral reunion of the United Confederate Veterans at Richmond, Va., 
June 30, 1896, and which thus describes the Confederate soldier: "His 

surrender meant peace and conciliation." "He returned 

to the Union as an equal, and he has remained in the Union as a friend, 
with no humble apologies, no unmanly servility, no petty spite, no sullen 
treachery. He is a cheerful, frank citizen of the United States, accept- 
ing the present, trusting the future, and proud of the past." 

Impelled by sentiments similar to those which moved the Federal 
soldiers, the Confederate Veterans, with their sons and daughters, have 
formed associations to perpetuate memories which are dear to them, 
and for social, historical, and benevolent purposes. 

The Tennessee Association of Confederate Soldiers is an exclu- 
sively Tennessee organization, and has no membership outside the 
State. This association obtained a charter from the- State December 
30, 1887, with the following charter members: R. G. Rothrock, John P. 
Hickman, George F. Hager, E. R. Richardson, Frank Anderson, T. F. 
Sevier, George B. Guild, Jesse Ely. W. J. McMurray, John W. Morton, 
T. F. P. Allison, and F. S. Harris. It consists of 36 local divisions, 
styled "Bivouacs." Delegates from these Bivouacs assemble at the 
annual reunions and constitute the "State Division." This is the Asso- 
ciation which is recognized by the laws of Tennessee, and to which is 
entrusted the power to nominate the Trustees for the Soldiers' Home 
and the Board of Pension Examiners. 

The United Confederate Veterans is a general organization for the 
Southern States. It has a department in Tennessee styled "The Ten- 



3IO 



History of Tennessee;. 




nessee Division," commanded by Major General George W. Gordon, 
with John P. Hickman Adjutant General. The department embraces 
72 camps. When the general association of 
U. C. V. was formed the special Tennessee Associ- 
ation joined it, its Bivouacs becoming Camps of 
the U. C. v., yet still retaining their separate exist- 
ence. 

The United Daughters of the Confederacy is 
a general organization for the Southern States. It 
is said to be the largest organization of women in 
the world. It has 27 Chapters in Tennessee. Mrs. 
M. C. Goodlett organized this association in Sep- 
tember, 1892. Mrs. Frank A. Moses is now the 
President, and Mrs. John P. Hickman Secretary. 
The ladies of this association have devoted especial attention to 
social and benevolent purposes and to the care of the graves of the Con- 
federate dead. To their exertions and influence are due the erection of 
monuments, the custom of decorating graves, and most of the charities 
to relieve the wants of indigent veterans. They were largely instru- 
mental in securing the State appropriations for the Confederate 
Soldiers' Plome and for the pensions. The Confederate exhibit at the 
Centennial Exposition was largely their work. 

The Sons of Confederate Veterans is a general Southern organiza- 
tion, which has a department in Tennessee. It is an association 
auxiliary to tlie \'etcrans, and having the same general regulations and 
organization. Hon. A. B. Wilson is now the President. 



Ma J. -Gen. G. W. Gordon, 

Comraandina: Tennessee 
Division, U. C. V. 



LfST OF CONFEDER.VTK CEMETERIES. 



No. 
Location. Buried. 

Shiloh 1,728 

Knoxvillc 1,600 

Nashville 1,492 

Franklin 1,484 

Murfreesboro 1.340 

Memphis 1,095 

Chattanooga 905 

Shelbyville 600 

Fort Donelson 464 

Total 



Location. 

Tullahoma 

Jackson 

Clarksville 

Columbia 

Lebanon 

Gallatin 

Union City . . . . 
Lewisbnrg 



No. 

Buried. 

400 

225 

128 

123 

75 

72, 

41 

9 



11,782 



Thk Present Time. 311 

Monuments in honor of the Confederate soldiers have been erected 
at Knoxville, Nashville, Franklin, Murfreesboro, Memphis, Chatta- 
nooga, Shelbyville, Jackson, Clarksville, Columbia, Lebanon, and 
Bolivar. 

541. The Physical Features.— The educated Tennessean should be 
accurately informed on all subjects that pertain to his State. It is not 
enough that he should be proud of his State. He should have an intel- 
ligent pride. In connection with its history he should study its geog- 
raphy, its geology, and its civil government. For the study of the 
physical features in detail the student is referred to Safford and 
Killebrew's Geology of Tennessee, and to Frye's Complete Geography, 
chapter on Tennessee. 

Its grand physical features have attracted its population, and have 
supplied the resources for its growth and development. Its location, 
midway between the Gulf of Mexico and the Great Lakes, stretching 
east and west across the fertile Mississippi Valley ; its gradual declivity 
from the highest mountains of the AUeghanies to the Mississippi bot- 
toms, giving a range of altitude from 6,660 feet to 170.44 feet above sea 
level, unite to supply such varieties of soil and climate as to promote the 
cultivation of every kind of plant grown in the United States, except 
tropical fruits. 

Its eight distinct natural divisions supply great and varied mineral 
resources, among which are coal, iron, lead, copper, zinc, phosphate, 
marble, limestone and sandstone. 

Its climatic and physical conditions are also highly favorable to the 
growth and development of animal life. No country afifords a more 
delightful residence to the human race, and no country is better suited 
to the raising of horses, cattle, poultry, and live stock of all kinds. 

542. Occupations. — These varied natural resources atTord to the 
people the opportunity to engage in a great variety of occupations. 
Agriculture is the most important industry. To this pursuit the tastes 
and habits of the people incline them, and the genial soil invites them. 
The manufacturing and mining industries are rapidly growing. 

The facilities for transportation add greatly to the value of the 
several industries, and have developed important commercial interests. 
The Comptroller's report for 1898 shows that there are in the State 
2,992.68 miles of railroad, and 20,921.27 miles of telegraph and tele- 
phone lines. The Mississippi, Tennessee, and Cumberland rivers, 
navigable at all seasons of the vear, afiford excellent facilities for river 



312 



History of Tennessee. 




Counties of 



Andersou . . 
Bedford .... 

Benton 

Bledsoe 

Blount 

Bradley . . . . 
Campbell. . . 
Cannon .... 

Carroll 

Carter 

Cheathain. . 

Chester 

Claiborne . . 

Clay 

Cocke 

Coffee 

Crockett 

Cumberland 

Davidson 

Decatur 

De Kalb ... 

Dickson 

Dyer 

Favette 



County Seat. 



Clinton 

.Shelby ville. . 

Camden 

Pikeville 

Maryville . . . 
Cleveland . . . 
Jacksboro . . . 
Woodbury . . 
Huntingdon. 
Elizabelhton 
Ashlaud City 
Henderson . . 
Tazewell .... 

Celina 

Newport 

Manchester . 

Alamo 

Crossville . . . 
Nashville. . . . 
Decatur\-ille. 
Smithville. .. 

Charlotte 

Dyersburg 

Somerviile . . 





a 


^— 7^ 


. 




— 


V X 


«(£" 


OS 


3 " 




eL( 


1801 


15.128 


1807 


24,739 


1835 


11,230 


1S07 


6,134 


1795 


17,589 


ly^vS 


13,607 


1806 


13,486 


I8,^S 


12,197 


1821 


23,630 


1796 


13,3-^9 


1856 


8,845 


1879 


9,069 


iSoi 


15,103 


1870 


7,260 


1797 


I6,.523 


iS.^S 


13,827 


1S70 


15,146 


I8.S,S 


5,376 


1783 


108,174 


1845 


8,995 


18," 


15,650 


1803 


13,645 


1823 


19,878 


1824 


28,878 



Fentress . . . 
Franklin . . . 

Gibson 

Giles 

Grainger... 

Greene 

Grundy . .. . 
Hamblen. . . 
Hamilton . . 
Hancock . . . 
Hardeman . 

Hardin 

Hawkins .. . 
Haywood. . . 
Henderson . 

Henry 

Hickman. .. 
Houston. . . . 
Humphreys 

Jackson 

James 

Jefferson . . . 
Johnson . . . . 
Knox 



CouJSTY Seat. 



Jamestown . . 
Winchester.. . 

Trenton 

Pulaski 

Rutledge 

Greeneville . . 
Altamont .... 
Morristown . . 
Chattanooga . 

Sneedville 

Bolivar 

Savannah .... 
Rogersville. . . 
Brownsville . . 
Lexington. . . . 

Paris 

Centreville 

Erin 

Waverly 

Gainesboro. . . 

Ooltewah 

Dandridge . . . , 
Mountain City 
Knoxville 



V n! 

«E 

'A 



1823 
1807 
1823 
1809 
1796 
1783 
1844 
1870 
1819 
1S44 
182 s 
1819 
1/S6 
182.3 
1821 
1S21 
1S07 
1S71 

ISOQ 

iSoi 

1871 

1792 

IS35 
1792 



5,221 
18,92 

35,85' 
34,95 
13,19' 
26,61. 

6,34. 
11,41; 
53,48 
10 34 
21,021 
17,69; 

22,24' 
23,55 

16, 33' 

21,07' 

14,49 

5,39' 
11,72 
13,32, 

4,90 
16,47 

8,85;; 
59-55: 



The total population of Tennessee, by the census of 1890, was 1,767,518, of which the urban populat! 
per cent and the foreign-born population 1.13 per cent, of the toia\.—[See U. S. Census, Population, Part I, p\ 
n^f " ^ "^ circular shape of Warren and Overton counties was caused by the operation of Section 4, Articl<! 
TO lorm a new county, or to be transferred to another countv, within eleven miles of the court-house. For t ' 



The Present Time. 



313 




ENNESSEE,- 



Name. 


County Seat. 


(u a 


a 
. 

1« 

0-" 


Name. 


County Seat. 


V a 

as 


a 
. 

,2 00 
3 " 
p.d 
— 

P4 


Lake 


Tiptonville 

Ripley 


1870 

1835 
I8I7 

1843 

1-809 
1870 
I8I9 
1823 
1842 
1821 
I8I7 
1835 
1S07 

1^35 
1819 
1796 
1872 
1817 
1823 
1806 
1S19 
1879 

1839 
1842 


5,304 
18,756 

12,286 
2,555 
27,382 

9,273 
17,890 
15,510 
10,878 
30,497 
15,411 
18,906 
38,112 

6,930 
15,329 
29,697 

5,975 
7.630 
27,273 
12,039 
7,785 
4,736 
8,361 
13,683 


Rhea 




1807 

iSoi 
1796 
1803 
1849 
1S57 
1794 
1819 

1799 

1S03 

J 779 
1786 
1823 
1870 
1875 
1S50 
1840 
1S07 

1777 
1S17 
1823 
1S06 
1799 
1799 


12,647 
17,418 
20,078 
35,097 
9,794 
3,027 
18,761 
112,740 
18,404 
12,193 
20,879 

2 ',,668 


Lauderdale 


Roane, ... 

Robertson 

Rutherford 

Scott . . . . 




I<awrence 


Lawrenceburg . . . 

Hohenwald 

Fayetteville 


Springfield 

Murfreesboro . . 
Huntsville 






Sequatchie 


McMinn 




Sevierville 


McNairy 


Selmer 


Shelby . 


Macon 


Lafayette 


Smith 

Stewart 




Madison 










Blountville 

Gallatin 


Marshall 


Lewisburg 

Columbia 




Maury 


Tipton 


Covington 

Hartsville 


24,271 
5,850 
4,619 

11,459 
2,863 


Meigs 


Trousdale 


Monroe 


MadisonviUe 

Clarksville 

Lynchburg 

Wartburg 

Union City 

Livingston 


Montgomery 




Maynardville 


Moore 


Van Buren 

-Warren 

Washington 


Morgan 


McMinnville 

Jonesboro 

Waynesboro 


14-413 
20,354 




Overton 


Perry 


Weakley 


28,955 
12,348 
26,321 
27,148 


Pickett 


Byrdstowu 


White 




Polk 


Williamson 

Wilson 




Putnam 


Cookeville 











was 11.45 percent, and the rural population was S8.55 per cent. The native-born population was 98.87 
vvtii-lx.vxiii. ] 

1, of the Constitution of 1S70, which provides, that no territory shall be taken from an established county 
same reason, the boundary lines of other counties are formed, in part, of arcs of circles. 



314 History of Tennessee. 

transportation. Nearly every county in the State has either railroad or 
river transportation. 

543. Wealth and Population. — The assessed value of all taxable 
property for the year 1898 was $306,116,297. The real value is much 
greater. A noticeable feature is the rapid growth of the cities. Dur- 
ing the decade from 1880 to 1890 the five principal cities increased in 
population 93 per cent. The total population of the State by the last 
census was 1,767,518. 

544. Conclusion. — Thus, the feeble settlements of the Watauga 
and the Cumberland, beginning their career by establishing independent 
governments for preserving law and order, entered on the struggle for 
the conquest of the wilderness. Triumphant over savage foes, British 
hostility, and Spanish intrigue, they made the early period of their 
history romantic in adventure and achievement, and illustrious in the 
grandeur of their virtvies. 

Overcoming all the obstacles to the acquisition of citizenship and 
statehood, they contributed to the Union the first State erected out of 
Federal territory. 

Rapidly growing in wealth and influence, the State was exalted bv 
the talents and virtues of its citizens to occupy for many years the most 
commanding position in the sisterhood of States. It has furnished to 
the United States three Presidents. Its citizens have filled high places 
in the Cabinet, in foreign missions, in the military, judicial, and legis- 
lative departments of the Government. Although an inland State, it 
has contributed to the navy two of its most illustrious officers. It has 
gained bv the patriotism of its people the proud title of "The Volunteer 
State." 

Early in its career the State entered on the work of constructing 
railroads and improving other means of transportation, in order to 
develop the immense resources which nature had so bountifully pro- 
vided. Then came the era of prosperity and accumulated wealth. 

The State had already begun the w^ork of judicious legislation for 
developing its internal resources, for providing charitable institutions for 
the unfortunate classes of its citizens, for education, sanitation, and 
other public benefits, when its career was interrupted by the Civil War. 

This war brought to the State the horrors of invasion, the fratricidal 
strife of its citizens, the destruction of its labor system, the upheaval of 
its social and political institutions, public debt, and individual impover- 
ishment. 



The Present Time. 315 

Nothing has ever daunted the people of Tennessee. The labor 
system has been reconstructed. The social institutions have been 
adapted to the changed conditions. The political supremacy of the 
people has been restored. The public debt has been adjusted, and steps 
have been taken for its gradual liquidation. By individual economy 
and industry the people have recuperated their private fortunes. Thrift, 
enterprise, and wealth are visible everywhere. 

In the words of the Confederate Veteran Association, "77u' Nczv 
South is the legitimate offspring of the Old South. It is not a galvan- 
ized corpse worked into life by batteries from without. It is a healthy 
expansion of forces from within." ..... "The 
New South, in material development, will rise above the Old South. We 
shall have a denser population, larger cities, more stately buildings, more 
ample revenues, more widely diffused intelligence, richer men, more 
wealthy corporations ; but we shall never have a higher social order, 
nobler sentiments, purer aspirations, grander men, or more devoted or 
truer women than the men and the women of the Old South." 

May the spirit which sustained their ancestors through so many 
vicissitudes of fortune ever animate the future generations of Tennes- 
seans, and may the glories and virtues which they inherit from the past 
be their inspiration for the future. 



3i6 Topical Analysis. 



TOPICAL ANALYSIS OF DIVISION III. 
FROM THE CONSTITUTION OF iSjo TO THE PRESENT TIME. 

\. Close of Senter's Administration — Repeal of School Law. 

II. Democrats in Power in all Departments— (a) Brown's Administration, Public Debt 
Funded, Penitentiary I,ease Continued, Present School Law ; (^) Porter's Administration, Fund- 
ing Act Repealed, Four Mile Law, Board of Health; (c) Marks' Administration, Contest over 
State Debt, Democrats Divided. 

III. Republicans Elect Governor, Hawkins' Administration, 100-3 Law. 

IV. Bate's Administration, Settlement of State Debt, New Orleans Exposition. 

v. Taylor's Administration, Industrial School, Public School Officers' Association, Soldiers' 
Home, Hermitage Association, Penitentiary Lease Continued, Farmers' Alliance. 

VI. Buchanan's Administration, Secondary School Law, Appropriation for Teachers' Insti- 
tutes, Confederate Pension Law, Increased Appropriations for Soldiers' Home and Normal 
College, Insurrections of the Miners, Bitter Political Contest. 

VII. Turney's Administration, New Penitentiary Begun, State Guard Relieved, Brushy 
Mountain Mines Opened by State, Convict Lease System Abolished, Contest with Railroads, Nor- 
mal College Appropriation Increased, Chair of American History, The Contested Election. 

Vni. Taylor's Third Term— (a) The Centennial Exposition, Its Beauty, Its Historical Char- 
acter ; {b) The Spanish War, The Four Tennessee Regiments, Tennessee in the Navy, The New 
Penitentiary Occupied, Railroad Commission. 

IX. McMilliu's Administration, State Debt, Sinking Fund, Fees of Coal Oil Inspectors, Tax 
on Charters, Railroad Suits Compromised, Prison Commissioners, Judicial Reforms, High School 
I^w, State Text-book Commission, Return of First Tennessee Regiment. 

X. Education, Its Beginnings in Tennessee Home School, Private Schools, Chartered Schools, 
Colleges, State Institutions, United States Cession Act of 1S06, College Grants, The Religious 
Denominations Found Colleges and Universities, the Chartered Academies, Schools Founded by 
Benevolent Orders, Growth of Pviblic School System, Insufficiencj' of Land Grants, Peabody 
Fund, Final Establishment in 1S73, Features of the Law, and Subsequent Amendments. 

XI. The Present Time, Trend of Development, State Institutions, Corporations, Social Fea- 
tures, National and State Associations, Physical Features, Internal Improvements, A Few Statis- 
tics, Conclusion. 



APPENDIX. 



CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE. 

Framed by a Convention convened at Nashville, January lo, 1870, and adopted by a 
vote of the people of the State, March 26, 1870. 



PREAMBLE. 

Whereas, The people of the territory of the United States, south of the river Ohio, 
having the right of admission into the General Government as a member State thereof, 
consistent with the Constitution of the United States, and the act of cession of the State 
of North Carolina, recognizing the ordinance for the government of the territory of the 
United States northwest of the Ohio Kiver, by their Delegates and 1-iepresentatives in 
Convention assembled, did, on the sixth day of P'ebruary, in the year of our Lord one 
thousand seven hundred and ninety-six, ordain and establish a Constitution, or form of 
government, and mutually agreed with each other to form theinselves into a free and inde- 
pendent State, by the name of the State of Tennessee; and, 

[Note. — Preamble to Constitution of 1796, repeated in that of 1S34.] 

Whereas, The General Assembly of the said State of Tennessee (pursuant to the third 
Section of the tenth Article of the Constitvition), by an act passed on the twenty-seventh day 
of November, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-three, entitled 
"An act to provide for the calling of a Convention, passed in obedience to the declared 

WILL OF the voters OF THE StATE, AS EXPRESSED AT THE GENERAL ELECTION OF AuGUST, IN 
THE YEAR OF OUR LORD ONE THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED AND THIRTY-THREE, did authorize 

and provide for the election by the people of Delegates and Representatives, to meet at 
Nashville, in Davidson County, on the third Monday in May, in the year of our Lord one 
thousand eight hundred and thirty-four, for the purpose of revising and amending or 
changing the Constitution; and said Convention did accordingly meet and form a 
Constitution, which was submitted to the people, and was ratified by them on the 
first Friday in March, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and 
thirty-five; and, 

[Note. — The language of the preamble to the Constitution of 1834, except the words 
in small capitals, which were added.] 

Whereas, The General Assembly of said Slate of Tennessee, under and in virtue of the 
first Section of the first Article of the Declaration of Rights, contained in and forming a 
part of the_ existing Constitution of the State, by an act passed on the fifteenth day of 
November, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine, did provide 
for the calling of a Convention by the people of the State, to meet at Nashville on the second 
Monday in January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy, and 
for the election of delegates for the purpose of amending or revising the present Constitt^ition, 
or of forming and making a new Constitution; and 

Whereas, The people of the State, in the mode provided by said act, have called said 
Convention, and elected delegates to represent them therein; now, therefore, 

\ye, the Delegates and Representatives of the I^eople of the State of Tennessee, elected 
and in Convention assembled, in pursuance of the said Act of Assembly, have ordained and 
established the following amended Constitution and form of government for this State 
which we recommend to the people of Tennessee for their ratification; that is to say: ' 

[Note.— The language of the preamble to the Constitution of 1834.] 

ARTICLE I. — Declaration of Rights. 

Section i. That all power is inherent in the people, and all free governments are 
founded on their authomy, and instnuted for their peace, safety, and happiness- for the 
advancement of those ends, they have, at all times, an unalienable and indefeasible right to 
alter, reform, or abolish the government in such manner as they may think proper. 

[Note.— Const, of 1796, Art. XI, Sec. i; 1834, Art. I, Sec. i.] 

Sec. 2. That government being instituted for the common benefit, the doctrine of 
non-resistance against arbitrary power and oppression, is absurd, slavish, and destructive of 
the good and happiness of mankind. 

[Note.— Const, of 1796, Art. XI, Sec. 2; 1834, Art. I, Sec. 2.] 

Sec. 3. That all men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty 
l.od according to the dictates of their own conscience; that no man can, of right be 
compelled to attend, erect, or support any place of worship, or to maintain any minister 
against his consent; that no human authority can, in any case whatever, control or interfere 



3i8 Appendix. 



with the rights of conscience; and that no preference shall ever be given, by law, to any 
religious establishment or mode of worship. 

[Note.— Const, of 1796, Art. XI, Sec. 3; 1834, Art. I, Sec. 3.] 

Sec. 4. That no political or religious test, other than an oath to support the 
Constitution of the United States and of this State, shall ever be required as a 
qualification to any office or public trust under this State. 

[Note. — The language is the same as Sec. 4, Art. XI, Const, of 1796, and Sec. 4, Art. 
I, of 1834, except the words in small capitals.] 

Sec. 5. That elections shall be free and equal, and the right of suffrage, as 
hereinafter declared, shall never be denied to any person entitled thereto, except 
upon a conviction by a jury of some infamous crime, previously ascertained and 
declared by law, and judgment thereon, by a court of competent jurisdiction. 

[Note. — Const, of 1796, Art. XI, Sec. 5, and 1834, Art. I, Sec. 5, except the words in 
small capitals.] 

Sec. 6. That the right of trial by jury shall remain inviolate, and no religious or 
political test shall ever be required as a qualification for jurors. 

[Note. — Const, of 1796, Art. XI, Sec. 6, and 1834, Art. I, Sec. 6, except the words in 

SMALL CAPITALS.] 

Sec. 7. That the people shall be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and possessions 
from unreasonable searches and seizures; and that general warrants, whereby an officer may 
be commanded to search suspected places, without evidence of the fact committed, or to 
seize any person or persons not named, whose offenses are not particularly described and 
supported by evidence, are dangerous to liberty, and ought not to be granted. 

[Note.— Const, of 1796, Art. XI, Sec. 7; 1834, Art. I, Sec. 7.] 

Sec 8. That no man shall be taken or imprisoned, or disseized of his freehold, liberties, 
or privileges, or outlawed, or exiled, or in any manner destroyed or deprived of his life, 
liberty, or property, but by the judgment of his peers or the law of the land. 

[Note— Const, of 1796, Art. XI, Sec. 8. The Const, of 1834, Art. I, Sec. 8, says, 
"That no free man," etc.] 

Sec 9. That in all criminal prosecutions the accused hath the right to be heard by 
himself and his counsel; to demand the nature and cause of the accusation against him, and 
to have a copy thereof; to meet the witnesses face to face; to have compulsory process for 
obtaining witnesses in his favor; and in prosecutions bv indictment or presentment, a speedy 
public trial by an impartial jury of the county in which the crime shall have been committed; 
and shall not be compelled to give evidence against himself. 

[Note. — Const, of 1796, Art. XI, Sec. 9. The Const, of 1834, Art. I, Sec. g, says, "An 
impartial jury of the county or district," etc.] 

Sec 10. That no person shall, for the same offense, be twice put in jeopardy of life or 
limb. 

[Note.— Const, of 1796, Art. XI, Sec. 10; 1834, Art. I, Sec. 10.] 

Sec. II. That laws made for the punishment of acts committed previous to the existence 
of such laws, and by them only declared criminal, are contrary to the principles of a free 
government; wherefore no ex post facto law shall be made. 

[Note.— Const, of 1796, Art. XI, Sec. 11; 1834, Art. I, Sec. 11.] 

Sec. 12. That no conviction shall work corruption of blood or forfeiture of estate. The 
estate of such persons as shall destroy their own lives shall descend or vest, as in case of 
natural death. If any person be killed by casualty, there shall be no forfeiture in conse- 
quence thereof. 

[Note.— Const, of 1796, Art. XI, Sec. 12; 1834, Art. I, Sec. 12.] 

Sec. 13. That no person arrested and confined in Jail shall be treated with unnecessary 
rigor. 

[Note.— Const, of 1796, Art. XI, Sec. 13; 1834, Art. I, Sec. 13.] 

Sec. 14. That no person shall be put to answer any criminal charge but by presentment, 
indictment, or impeachment. 

[Note.— Const, of 1796, Art. XI, Sec 14; 1834, Art. I, Sec. 14.] 

Sec. 15. That all prisoners shall be bailable by sufficient sureties, unless for capital 
offenses, when the proof is evident or the presumption great. And the privilege of the 
writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended, unless when, in case of rebellion or invasion, 
the General Assembly shall declare the public safety requires it. 

[Note.— Const, of 1834, Art. I, Sec. 15. The Const, of 1796, Art. XI, Sec. 15. omits the 
words, "the General Assembly shall declare."] 

Sec. 16. That excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel 
and unusual punishments inflicted. 

[Note.— Const, of 1796, Art. XI, Sec. 16; 1834, Art. I, Sec. 16.] 

Sec 17. That all courts shall be open; and every man, for anv injury done him in his 
lands, goods, person, or reputation, shall have remedy by due course of law, and right and 



Constitution. 319 

justice administered witliout sale, denial, or delay. Suits may be brought against the State 
in such manner and in such courts as the Legislature may, by law, direct. 

[Note. — Const, of 1S34, Art. I, Sec. 17. The Const, of 1796, Art. XI, Sec. 17, adds the 
words, "Provided, the riglit of bringing suit be limited to the citizens of this State."] 

Sec. 18. The Legislature shall pass no law authorizing imprisonment for debt in civil 
cases. 

[Note. — Const, of 1796, Art. XI, Sec. 18, and 1834, Art. I, Sec. 18, were in these words: 
"That the person of a debtor, where there is not a strong presumption of fraud, 
shall not be continued in prison after delivering up his estate for the benefit of 
his creditor or creditors, in such manner as shall be prescribed by law."] 

Sec. 19. That the printing presses shall be free to every person to examine the proceed- 
ings of the Legislature, or of any branch or officer of the government; and no law shall 
ever be made to restrain the right thereof. The free communication of thoughts and opinions 
is one of the invaluable rights of men, and every citizen may freely speak, write, and print 
on any subject, being responsible for the abuse of that liberty. But in prosecutions for 
the publication of papers investigating the official conduct of officers or men in public 
capacity, the truth thereof may be given in evidence; and in all indictments for libel the jury 
shall have a right to determine the law and the facts, vmder the direction of the court, as in 
other criminal cases. 

[Note.— Const, of 1796, Art. XI, Sec. 19; 1834, Art. I, Sec. 19.] 

Sec. 20. That no retrospective law, or law impairing the obligation of contracts, shall 
be made. 

[Note.— Const, of 1796, Art. XI, Sec. 20; 1834, Art. I, Sec. 20.] 

Sec. 21. That no man's particular services shall be demanded, or property taken or 
applied to public use, without the consent of his representatives, or without just compensation 
being made therefor. 

[Note.— Const, of 1796, Art. XI, Sec. 21 ; 1834, Art. I, Sec. 21.] 

Sec. 22. That perpetuities and monopolies are contrary to the genius of a free State, and 
shall not be allowed. 

[Note. — Const, of 1834, Art. I, Sec. 22. The Const of 1796, Art. XI, Sec. 23, adds to 
the section the words, "by law."] 

Sec. 23. That the citizens have a right in a peaceable manner to assemble together for 
their common good, to instruct their Representatives, and to apply to those invested wi.h 
the powers of government for redress of grievances, or other proper purposes, by address or 
remonstrance. 

[Note.— Const, of 1796, Art. XI, Sec. 22; 1834, Art. I, Sec. z^.'l 

Sec 24. That the sure and certain defense of a free people is a well regulated militia; 
and, as standing armies in time of peace are dangerous to freedom, they ought to be avoided 
as far as the circumstances and safety of the community will admit; and that in all cases the 
military shall be kept in strict subordination to the civil authority. 

[Note.— Const, of 1796, Art. XI, Sec. 24; 1834, Art. I, Sec. 24.] 

Sec. 25. . That no citizen of this State, except such as are employed in the army of the 
United States, or militia in actual service, shall be subjected to punishment under the 
martial or military law. That martial law, in the sense of the unrestricted power 
OF military officers or others, to dispose of the persons, liberties, or 
property of the citizen, is inconsistent with the principles of free government, 

AND IS not confided TO ANY DEPARTMENT OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THIS StATE. 

[Note. — Neither the Constitution of 1796 nor 1834 have the words in small capitals. 
Const, of 1796, Art. XL Sec. 25, and 1834, Art. I, Sec. 25, insert before "punish- 
ment" the word "corporal."] 

Sec. 26. That the citizens of this State have a right to keep and to bear arms for their 
common defense. But the Legislature shall have power, by law, to regulate the 

WEARING OF ARMS WITH A VIEW TO PREVENT CRIME. 

[Note.— The words in small capitals are not in either of the old Constitutions. The 
others are the same, except, instead of the word "citizens," that of 1796, Art. XI, 
Sec. 26, uses the word "freemen," and that of 1834, Art. I, Sec. 26, the words, 
"free white men."] 

Sec 27. That no soldier shall, in time of peace, be quartered in any house without the 
consent of the owner; nor in time of war, but in a manner prescribed by law. 
[Note.— Const, of 1796, Art. XI, Sec. 27; 1834, Art. I, Sec. 27.] 

Sec 28. That no citizen of this State shall be compelled to bear arms, provided he will 
pay an equivalent, to be ascertained by law. 

[Note.— Const, of 1796, Art. XI, Sec. 28; 1834, Art. I, Sec. 28.] 

Sec 29. That an equal participation in the free navigation of the Mississippi is one of 
the inherent rights of the citizens of this State; it can not, therefore, be conceded to any 
prince, potentate, power, person, or persons whatever. 

[Note.— Const, of 1796, Art. XI, Sec. 29; 1834, Art. I, Sec. 29.] 



320 



Appendix. 



Sec. 30. That no hereditary emoluments, privileges, or honors shall ever be granted or 
conferred in this State. 

[Note.— Const, of 1796, Art. XI, Sec. 30; 1834, Art. I, Sec. 30.] 

Sec. 31. That the limits and boundaries of this State being ascertained, it is declared 
they are as hereafter mentioned, that is to say: Beginning on the extreme height of the 
Stone Mountain, at the place where the line of Virgmia intersects it, in latitude thirty-six 
degrees and thirty minutes north; running thence along the extreme height of the said 
mountain to the place where Watauga River breaks through it; thence a direct course to the 
top of the Yellow Mountain, where Eright's Road crosses the same; thence along the ridge 
of said mountain, between the waters of Doe River and the waters of Rock Creek, to the 
place where the road crosses the Iron Mountain; from thence along the extreme height of 
said movmtain, to the place where Nolichucky River runs through the same; thence to the 
top of the Bald Mountain; thence along the extreme height of said mountain to the Painted 
Rock, on French Broad River; thence along the highest ridge of said mountain to the place 
where it is called the Great Iron or Smoky Mountain; thence along the extreme height of 
said mountain to the place where it is called Unicoi or I'naka Mountain, between the 
Indian towns of Cowee and Old Chota; thence along the main ridge of the said mountain 
to the southern boundary of this State, as described in the act of cession of North Carolina 
to the United States of America; and that all the territory, lands, and waters lying west of 
the said line, as before mentioned, and contained within the chartered limits of the State of 
North Carolina, are within the boundaries and limits of this State, over which the people 
have the right of exercising sovereignty, and the right of soil, so far as is consistent with 
the Constitution of the United States, recognizing tjie Articles of Confederation, the Bill of 
Rights, and Constitution of North Carolina, the cession act of the said State, and the 
ordinance of Congress for the government of the territory northwest of the Ohio; provided, 
nothing herein contained shall extend to affect the claim or claims of individuals to any 
part of the soil which is recognized to them by the aforesaid cession act; and provided, also, 
that the limits and jurisdiction of this State shall extend to any other land and territory now 
acquired, or that may hereafter be acquired by compact or agreement with other States or 
otherwise, although svich land and territory are not included within the boundaries herein- 
before designated. 

[Note. — Const, of 1834, Art. I, Sec. 31. The Const, of 1796, Art. XI, Sec. 32, omits 
the last proviso.] 

Sec. 32. That the erection of safe and comfortable prisons, the inspection of prisons, and 
the humane treatment of prisoners shall be provided for. 

Sec. 33. That slavery and involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime, 
whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, are forever prohiliited in this State. 

[Note. — This section is substantially the same as Art. I, Sec. i, of the amendments 
to the Constitution, adopted February 22, 1865.] 

Sec. 34. The General Assembly shall make no law recognizing the right of property 
in man. 

[Note. — This is the same as Art. I, Sec. 2, of the amendments to the Constitution, 
adopted February 22, 1865, except the words, "General Assembly," which are substi- 
tuted for "Legislature." On the subject of Sees. 33 and 34, the Const, of 1834, 
Art. II, Sec. 31, provides as follows: "The General Assembly shall have no power 
to pass laws for the emancipation of slaves without the consent of their owner 
or owners."] > 

ARTICLE II. — Distribution of Powers. 

Section i. The powers of the Government shall be divided into three distinct depart- 
ments: The Legislative, E.xecutive, and Judicial. 
[Note.— Const, of 1834, Art. II, Sec. i.] 

Sec. 2. No person or persons belonging to one of these departments shall exercise any of 
the powers properly belonging to either of the others, except in the cases herein directed or 
permitted. 

[Note.— Const, of 1834, Art. II, Sec. 2.] 

Legislative Department. 
Sec. 3. The Legislative authority of this State shall be vested in a General Assembly. 
which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives, both dependent on the people, 

WHO SHALL HOLD THEIR OFFICES FOR TWO YEARS FROM THE DAY OF THE GENERAL ELECTION. 

[Note. — Const, of 1796, Art. I, Sec. i, and 1834, Art. II, Sec. 3, except the words in 

SMALL CAPITALS.] 

Sec. 4. An enumeration of the qualified voters, and an apportionment of the Representa 
tives in the General Assembly, shall be made in the year one thousand eight hundred and 
seventy-one, and within every subsequent term of ten years. 

[Note.— Const, of 1834, Art. II, Sec. 4, except the date of the first enumeration. The 

Const of 1796, Art. I, Sec. 2, provides for the "enumeration of the taxable 

inhabitants," within every "term of seven years."] 

Sec. 5. The number of Representatives shall, at the several periods of making the 

enumeration, be apportioned among the several counties or districts according to the number 

of qualified voters in each; and shall not exceed seventy-five, until the population of the 



Constitution. 321 

State shall be one million and a half, and shall never exceed ninety-nine; provided, that 
any county having two-thirds of the ratio shall be entitled to one member. 

[Note. — Const, of 1834, Art. II, Sec. 5, except that before the words, "exceed ninety- 
nine," the word "thereafter" is omitted. The Const, of 1796, Art. 1, Sec. 2, 
provides for the apportionment of Representatives "among the several counties 
"according to the number of taxable inhabitants in each," the number never to 
"be less than twenty-two nor greater than twenty-six, until the number of 
taxable inhabitants shall be 40,000," and "never to exceed forty."] 
Sec. 6. The number of Senators shall, at the several periods of making the enumeration, 
be apportioned among the several counties or districts, according to the number of qualified 
electors in each, and shall not exceed one-third the number of Representatives. In a;ppor- 
tioning the number of Senators among the different counties, the fraction that may be lost 
by any county or counties, in the apportionment of members of the House of Representatives, 
shall be made up to such county or counties in the Senate as near as may be practicable. 
When a district is composed of two or more counties, they shall be adjoining; and no county 
shall be divided in forming a district. 

[Note.— Const, of 1834, Art. II, Sec. 6. The Const, of 1796, Art. I, Sec. 2, provided 
for the apportionment of Senators on the same principle applied to Representa- 
tives, of whom, it was declared, they should "never be less than one-third or 
more than one-half in number." See also Sec. 4.] 
Sec. 7. The first election for Senators and Representatives shall be held on the second 
Tuesday in November, one thousand eight hundred and seventy; and forever thereafter, 
elections for members of the General Assembly shall be held once in two years, on the hrst 
Tuesday after the first Monday in November. Said elections shall terminate the same day. 
[Note.— Const, of 1834, Art. II, Sec. 7, except the date of election is changed from 
"the first Thursday in August." The Const, of 1796, Art. I, Sec. s, provides 
that the election should commence "on the first Thursday in August, and 
terminate "the succeeding day."] 
Sec. 8. The first session of the General Assembly shall commence on the first Monday 
in October, one thousand eight hundred and seventy-one, at which time the term of service 
of the members shall commence, and expire on the first Tuesday in November, one thousand 
eight hundred and seventy-two, at which session the Governor elected on the second Tuesday 
in November, one thousand eight hundred and seventy, shall be inaugurated; and forever 
thereafter, the General Assembly shall meet on the first Monday in January next ensuing the 
election, at which session thereof the governor shall be inaugurated. 

[Note.— The Const, of 1796, Art. I, Sec. 6, provided for the meeting of the General 
Assembly on the "third Monday of September," and that of 1834, Art. II, Sec. 8, 
on the "first Monday in October."] 
Sec. 9. No person shall be a Representative unless he shall be a citizen of the United 
States of the age of twenty-one vears, and shall have been a citizen of this_ State for three 
years, and a resident in the county he represents one year immediately preceding the election. 
[Note.— Const, of 1834, Art. II, Sec. 9. The Const, of 1796 does not require a 
Representative to be a citizen of the United States, but provides that he shall 
"possess in his own right in the county which he represents, not less than 200 
acres of land," Art. I, Sec. 7.] 
Sec. 10. No person shall be a Senator unless he shall be a citizen of the United States 
of the age of thirty years, and shall have resided three years in this State, and one year_ in 
the county or district immediately preceding the election. No Senator or Representative 
shall, during the time for which he was elected, be eligible to any ofifice or place of trust, 
the appointment to which is vested in the Executive or the General Assembly, except to the 
office of trustee of a literary institution. 

[Note.— Const, of 1834, Art. II, Sec. 10. The Const, of 1796 makes no distinction 
between the qualifications of Senators and Representatives, Art. I, Sec. 7. And 
see Const, pf 1796, Art. I, Sec. 24.] 
Sec. II. The Senate and House of Representatives, when assembled, shall each choose 
a Speaker and its other officers, be judges of the qualifications and elections of its members, 
and sit upon its own adjournments from day to day. Not less than two-thirds of all 
the members to which each house shall be entitled shall constitute a quorum to do 
business; but a smalller number may adjourn from day to day, and may be authorized by 
law to compel the attendance of absent members. 

[Note. — Const, of 1796, Art. I, Sec. 8, and 1834, Art. II, Sec. 11, except the words in 
small capitals, instead of which they have the following words, "two-thirds of 
each house."] 

Sec. 12. Each house may determine the rules of its proceedings, punish its inembers 
for disorderly behavior, and, with the concurrence of two-thirds, expel a member, but not a 
second time for the same offense; and shall have all other powers necessary for a branch 
of the Legislature of a free State. 

[Note.— Const, of 1796, Art. I, Sec. 9; 1834, Art. II, Sec. 12.] 

Sec 13. Senators and Representatives shall, in all cases except treason, felony, or breach 
of the peace, be privileged from arrest during the session of the General Assembly, and in 
going to or returning from the same; and for any speech or debate in either house they 
shall not be questioned in any other place. 

[Note.— Const of 1796, Art. I, Sec. 10; 1834, Art. II, Sec. 13.] 



322 Appendix. 



Sec. 14. Each house may punish by imprisonment, during its session, any person, not. 
a member, who shall be guilty of disrespect to the house, by any disorderly or any contempt- 
uous behavior in its presence. 

[Note. — Const, of 1796, Art. I, Sec. 11, and 1834, Art. II, .Sec. 14, except the word 
"any" before "contemptuous," which they omit.] 

Sec. 15. When vacancies happen in either house, the governor for the time being shall 
issue writs of election to fill such vacancies. 

[Note. — Const, of 1796, Art. I, Sec. 12; 1834, Art. II, Sec. 15.] 

Sec. 16. Neither house shall, during its session, adjourn without the consent of the 
other, for more than three days, nor to any other place than that in which the two houses 
shall be sitting. 

[Note.— Const, of 1796, Art. I, Sec. 13; 1834, Art. II, Sec. 16.] 

Sec. 17. Bills may originate in either house; but may be amended, altered, or rejected 
by the other. No bill shall become a law, which embraces more than one subject 

THAT SUBJECT TO BE EXPRESSED IN THE TITLE. AlL ACTS WHICH REPEAL, REVIVE, OR 

AMEND FORMER LAWS, SHALL RECITE IN THEIR CAPTION, OR OTHERWISE, THE TITLE OR 
SUBSTANCE OF THE LAW REPEALED, REVIVED, OR AMENDED. 

[Note. — Const, of 1796, Art. I, Sec. 14, and 1834, Art. II, Sec. 17, except words in 

SMALL CAPITALS.] 

Sec. 18. Every bill shall be read once on three different days, and be passed each time ii 
the house where it originated, before transmission to the other. No bill shall become a la\ 
until it shall have been read and passed, on three different days in each house, and shal 
have received on its final passage, in each house, the assent of a majority of all the member 
to which that house shall be entitled under this Constitution, and shall have been signed b 
the respective Speakers in open session — the fact of such signing to be noted on the journal; 
and shall have received the approval of the governor, or shall have been otherwise passed 
under the provisions of this Constitution. 

[Note. — To show the increase of the guards thrown around the passage of laws, we give 
the corresponding sections of the former Constitutions, as follows: 1796, Art. I, 
Sec. 15, "Every bill shall be read three times, on three different days, in each 
house, and be signed by the respective .Speakers, before it becomes a law." 
1834, Art. II, Sec. 18, "Every bill shall be read once on three different days, and 
be passed each time in the house where it originated, before transmission to the 
other. No bill shall become a law, until it shall be read and passed on three 
different days in each house, and be signed by the respective Speakers."] 

Sec. 19. After a bill has been rejected, no bill containing the same substance shall b 
passed into a law during the same session. 

[Note.— Const, of 1796, Art. I, Sec. 16; 1834, Art. II, Sec. 19.] 

Sec. 20. The style of the laws of this State shall be: "Be it enacted by the General 
Assembly of the State of Tennessee." No law of a general nature shall take effect 

UNTIL FORTY DAYS AFTER ITS PASSAGE, UNLESS THE SAME OR THE CAPTION SHALL STATE 
THAT THE PUBLIC WELFARE REQUIRES THAT IT SHOULD TAKE EFFECT SOONER. 

[Note. — Const, of 1796, Art. I, Sec. 17, and 1834, Art. II, Sec. 20, e.xcept words in 

SMALL CAPITALS.] 

Sec. 21. Each house shall keep a journal of its proceedings, and publish it, except such 
parts as the welfare of the State may require to be kept secret; the ayes and noes shall be 
taken in each house upon the final passage of every bill of a general character, and bills 
making appropriations of public moneys; and the ayes and noes of the members on any 
question shall, at the request of any five of them, be entered on the journal. 

[Note.— Const, of 1834, Art. IT, Sec. 21. The Const, of 1796, Art. I, Sec. 18, did not 
require a call of the ayes and noes on any question.] 

Sec. 22. The doors of each house and of committees of the whole shall be kept open, 
unless when the business shall be such as ought to be kept secret. 
[Note.— Const, of 1796, Art. I, Sec. 19; 1834, Art. II, Sec. 22.] 

Sec. 23. The sum of four dollars per day, and four dollars for every twenty-five miles 
traveling to and from the seat of government, shall be allowed to the members of each 
General Assembly elected after the ratification of this Constitution, as a compensation for 
their services. But no member shall be paid for more than seventy-five days of a 'regular 
session, or for more than twenty days of an extra or called session; or for any day when 
absent from his seat in the Legislature, unless physically^ unable to attend. The Senators, 
when sitting as a court of impeachment, shall each receive four dollars per day of actua 
attendance. 

[Note. — The Const, of 1796, Art. I, Sec. 20, limited the per diem of members to $1.75, 
and mileage of the same amount for each twenty-five miles traveled, going and 
returning. 1834, Art. II, Sec. 23, allowed $4.00 per day and a like sum for each 
twenty-five miles, to the members of the first General Assembly, and provided that 
"the compensation of members of the succeeding Legislatures shall be ascertained 
by law."] 

Sec. 24. No money shall be drawn from the treasury but in consequence of appropriation 
made by law; and an accurate statement of the receipts and expenditures of the public mone 



Constitution. 323 

shall be attached to and published with the laws at the rise of each stated session of the 
General Assembly. 

[Note. — Const, of 1834, Art. II, Sec. 24. Art. I, Sec. 21, of the Const, of 1796, contains 
only the first clause of the section, to the word '"law."] 

Sec. 25. No person who heretofore hath been, or may hereafter be, a collector or holder 
of public moneys, shall have a seat in either house of the General Assembly, or hold any 
OTHER OFFICE UNDER THE State GOVERNMENT, Until sucli person shall have accounted for 
and paid into the treasury all sums for which he may be accountable or liable. 

[Note. — Const, of 1796, Art. I, Sec. 22, and 1834, Art. II, Sec. 25, except the words in 

SMALL CAPITALS.! 

Sec. 26. No judge of any court of law or equity. Secretary of State, Attorney General, 
Register, Clerk of any court of record, or person holding any office under the authority of 
the United States, shall have a seat in the General Assembly, nor shall any person in this 
State hold more than one lucrative office at the same time; provided, that no appointrnent 
in the militia, or to the oflice of Justice of the Peace, shall be considered a lucrative office, 
or operative as a disqualification to a seat in either house of the General Assembly. 
[Note. — Const, of 1834, Art. II, Sec. 26, and substantially. Const, of 1796, Art. I, 

Sec. 23.'] 
Sec. 27. Any member of either house of the General ' Assembly shall have liberty to 
dissent from and protest against any act or resolve which he may think injurious to the 
public or to any individual, and to have the reasons for his dissent entered on the journals. 
[Note.— Const, of 1796, Art. I, Sec. 25; 1834, Art. II, Sec. 27.] 

Sec. 28. All property, real, personal, or mixed, shall be taxed, but the Legislature may 
except such as may be held by the State, by counties, cities, or towns, and used exclusively 
for public or corporation purposes, and such as may be held and used for purposes purely 
religious, charitable, scientific, literary, or educational, and shall except one thousand dollars' 
worth of personal property in the hands of each taxpayer, and the direct product of the soil 
in the hands of the producer and his immediate vendee. All property shall be taxed 
according to its value, that value to be ascertained in such inanner as the Legislature shall 
direct, so that taxes shall be equal and uniform throughout the State. No one species of 
property from which a tax may be collected shall be taxed higher than any other species of 
property of the same value. But the Legislature shall have power to tax merchants, peddlers, 
and privileges in such manner as they may from time to time direct. 

The portion of a merchant's capital used in the purchase of merchandise sold by him to 
non-residents and sent beyond the State, shall not be taxed at a rate higher than the ad 
valorem tax on property. 

The Legislature shall have the power to levy a tax upon incomes derived from stocks and 
bonds that are not taxed ad valorem. 

All male citizens of this State over the age of twenty-one years, except such persons as 
may be exempted by law on account of age or other infirmity, shall be liable to a poll tax 
of not less than fifty cents nor more than one dollar per annum. Nor shall any county or 
corporation levy a poll tax exceeding the amount levied by the State. 

[Note. — Const, of 1796, Art. I, Sec. 26, was as follows: "All lands liable to taxation in 
this State held by deed, grant, or entry, shall be taxed equal and uniform, in such 
manner that no one hundred acres shall be taxed higher than another, except town 
lots, which shall not be taxed higher than two hundred acres of land each. No 
freeman shall be taxed higher than one hundred acres, and no slave higher than 
two hundred acres on each poll." 
Const, of 1S34, Art. II, Sec. 28, was as follows: "All lands, liable to taxation, 
held by deed, grant, or entry, town lots, bank stocks, slaves between the ages of 
twelve and fifty years, and such other property as the Legislature may from time 
to time deem expedient, shall be ta.xable. All property shall be taxed according 
to its value; that value to be ascertained in such manner as the I^egislature shall 
direct, so that the same shall be equal and uniform throughout the State. No 
one species of property from which a tax may be collected shall be taxed higher 
than ony other species of property of equal value. But the Legislature shall have 
power to tax merchants, peddlers, and privileges, in such manner as they may 
from time to time direct. A tax on white polls shall be laid in such manner, and 
of such an amount, as may be prescribed by law."] 

Sec. 29. The General Assembly shall have power to authorize the several counties and 
incorporated towns in this State to impose taxes for county and corporation purposes 
respectively, in such manner as shall be prescribed by law; and all property shall be taxed 
according to its value upon the principles established in regard to State taxation. But the 
credit of no county, city, or town shall be given or loaned to or in aid of any person, 
company, association, or corporation, except upon an election to be first held by the qualified 
voters of such county, city, or town, and the assent of three-fourths of the votes cast at said 
election. Nor shall any county, city, or town become a stockholder w-ith others in any 
company, association, or corporation, except upon a like election and the assent of a like 
majority. But the counties of Grainger, Hawkins, Hancock. Union, Campbell. Scott, 
Morgan, Grundy, Sumner, Smith, Fentress, Van Buren, White, Putnam, Overton, Jackson, 
Cumberland, Anderson, Henderson, Wayne, Marshall, Cocke. Coffee, INIacon, and the new 
county herein authorized to be established out of fractions of Sumner, Macon, and Smith 
counties, and Roane, shall be excepted out of the provisions of this section, so far that the 
assent of a majority of the qualified voters of either of said counties voting on the qviestion 
shall be sufficient, when the credit of such county is given or loaned to any person, associa- 



324 Appeindix. 



tion, or corporation; provided, that the exception of the counties above named shall not be 
in force beyond the year one thousand eight hundred and eighty, and after that period they 
shall be subject to the three-fourths majority applicable to the other counties of the State. 
[Note. — The first sentence in this section, to the word "taxation," is the same as Sec. 
29, Art. II, Const, of 1834. There is no section on the same subject in the Constitu- 
tion of 1796.] 
Sec. 30. No article manufactured of the produce of this State shall be taxed otherwise 
than to pay inspection fees. 

[Note. — Const, of 1796, Art. I, Sec. 27; 1834, Art. II, Sec. 30.] 

Sec. 31. The credit of this State shall not be hereafter loaned or given to or in aid of any 
person, association, company, corporation, or municipality, nor shall ttie State becorne the 
owner, in whole or in part, of any bank, or a stockholder with others, in any association, 
company, corporation, or municipality. 

Sec. 32. No Convention or General Assembly of this State shall act upon any amendment 
of the Constitution of the United States proposed by Congress to the several States; unless 
such Convention or General Assembly shall have been elected after such amendment is 
submitted. ., , . , , 

Sec. 33. No bonds of the State shall be issued to any railroad company which, at the 
time of its application for the same, shall be in default in paying the interest upon the State 
bonds previously loaned to it, or that shall hereafter and before such application, sell or 
absolutely dispose of any State bonds loaned to it for less than par. 

ARTICLE III. — Executive Department. 

Section i. The supreme executive power of this State shall be vested in a governor. 

[Note.— Const, of 1796, Art. II, Sec. i; 1834, Art. Ill, Sec. i.] 

Sec. 2. The governor shall be chosen by the electors of the members of the General 
Assembly, at the time and places where they shall respectively vote for the members thereof. 
The returns of every election for governor shall be sealed up, and transmitted to the seat of 
government by the returning officers, directed to the Speaker of the Senate, who shall open 
and publish them in the presence of a majority of the members of each house of the General 
Assembly. The person having the highest number of votes shall be governor; but if two 
or more shall be equal and highest in votes, one of them shall be chosen governor by joint 
vote of both houses of the General Assembly. Contested elections for governor shall be 
determined by' both houses of the General Assembly, in such manner as shall be prescribed 
by law. 

[Note.— Const, of 1796, Art. II, Sec. 2; 1834, Art. Ill, Sec. 2.] 

Sec. 3. He shall be at least thirty years of age, shall be a citizen of the United States, and 
shall have been a citizen of this State seven years next before his election. 

[Note.— Const, of 1834, Art. Ill, Sec. 3. The Const, of 1796, Art. II, Sec. 3, required 
the governor to be at least twenty-one years of age and possess^ a freehold estate 
of five hundred acres of land, and that he should have been a citizen or inhabitant 
of this State four years next before his election.] 
Sec. 4. The governor shall hold his office for two years, and until his successor shall be 
elected and qualified. He shall not be eligible more than six years in any term of eight. 
[Note.— Const, of 1834, Art. Ill, Sec. 4, and substantially, 1796, Art. II, Sec. 4.] 

Sec. s. He shall be commander in chief of the army and navy of this State, and of the 
militia, except when they shall be called into the service of the United States; but the 
militia shall not be called into service except in case of rebellion or 
invasion, and then only when the general assembly shall declare by law that 
the public safety requires it. 

[Note. — Const, of 1796, Art. II, Sec. 5, and 1834, Art. Ill, Sec. 5, except the words in 

SMALL CAPITALS.] 

Sec. 6. He shall have power to grant reprieves and pardons, after conviction, except in 
cases of impeachment. 

[Note.— Const, of 1796, Art. II, Sec. 6; 1834, Art. Ill, Sec. 6.] 

Sec. 7. He shall, at stated times, receive a compensation for his services, which shall 
not be increased or diminished during the period for which he shall have been elected. 

[Note.— Const, of 1796, Art. II, Sec. 7; 1834, Art. Ill, Sec. 7.] 

Sec. 8. He may require information, in writing, from the officers in the executive 
department upon any subject relating to the duties of their respective offices. 

[Note.— Const, of 1796, Art. II, Sec. 8; 1834, Art. Ill, Sec. 8.1 

Sec. g. He may, on extraordinary occasions, convene the General Assembly by proclama- 
tion, IN WHICH HE SHALL STATE SPECIFICALLY THE PURPOSES FOR WHICH THEY ARE TO 

convene; but they shall enter on no legislative business except that for which they were 

specifically called together. 

[Nofe. — Const, of 1834, Art. Ill, Sec. 9, except words in small capitals, instead of 
which it has the following: "and shall state to them when assembled, the purposes 
for which they shall have been convened." The Const, of 1796 did not have any 
restriction upon the business whereon they might enter. See 1796, Art. II, Sec. 9.] 



Constitution. 325 

Sec. 10. He shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed. 
[Note.— Const, of 1796, Art. II, Sec. 10; 1834, Art. Ill, Sec. 10.] 

Sec. II. He shall, from time to time, give to the General Assembly information of the 
state of the government, and recoinmend for their consideration such measures as he shall 
judge expedient. 

[Note.— Const, of 1796, Art. II, Sec. 11; 1834, Art. Ill, Sec. 11.] 

Sec. 12. In case of the removal of the governor from office, or of his death or resignation, 
the powers and duties of the office shall devolve on the Speaker of the Senate; and in case 
of the death, removal from office, or resignation of the Speaker of the Senate, the powers and 
duties of the office shall devolve upon the Speaker of the House of Representatives. 

[Note. — Const, of 1834, Art. Ill, Sec. 12. The Const, of 1796 did not provide for the 
contingency of the death, removal from office, or resignation of the Speaker of 
the Senate.] 

Sec. 13. No 'member of Congress, or person holding any office under the United States, 
or this State, shall execute the office of governor. 

[Note.— Const, of 1796, Art. II, Sec. 13; 1834, Art. Ill, Sec. 13.] 

Sec. 14. When any officer, the right of whose appointment is by this Constitution vested 
in the General Assembly, shall, dviring the recess, die, or the office, by the expiration of the 
term, or by other means, become vacant, the governor shall have power to fill such vacancy 
by granting a temporary commission, which shall expire at the end of the next session of the 
Legislature. 

[Note. — Const, of 1834, Art. Ill, Sec. 14, and, substantially, 1796, Art. II, Sec. 14.] 

Sec. 15. There shall be a seal of this State, which shall be kept by the governor and 
used by him officially, and shall be called the Great Seal of the State of Tennessee. 

[Note.— Const, of 1796, Art. II, Sec. 15; 1S34, Art. Ill, Sec. 15.] 

Sec. 16. All grants and commissions shall be in the name and by the authority of the 
State of Tennessee, be sealed with the State Seal, and signed by the governor. 

[Note.— Const, of 1796, Art. II, Sec. 16; 1834, Art. Ill, Sec. 16.] 

Sec. 17. A Secretary of State shall be appointed by joint vote of the General Assembly, 
and commissioned during the term of four years; he shall keep a. fair register of all the 
official acts and proceedings of the governor; and shall, when required, lay the same and all 
papers, minutes, and vouchers relative thereto, before the General Assembly; and shall 
perform such other duties as shall be enjoined by law. 

[Note. — Const, of 1834, Art. Ill, Sec. 17, and, substantially, 1796, Art. II, Sec. 17.] 

Sec. 18. Every bill which may pass both houses of the General Assembly shall, before it 
becomes a law, be presented to the governor for his signature. If he approve, he shall siga 
it, and the same shall become a law; but if he refuse to sign it, he shall return it, with his 
objections thereto in writing, to the house in which it originated; and said house shall cause 
said objections to be entered at large upon its journal, and proceed to reconsider the bill. 
If, after such reconsideration, a majority of all the members elected to that house shall agree 
to pass the bill, notwithstanding the objections of the Executive, it shall be sent, with said 
objections to the other house, by which it shall be likewise reconsidered. If approved by 
a majority of the whole number elected to that house, it shall become a law. The votes 
of both houses shall be determined by yeas and nays, and the names of all the members 
voting for or against the bill shall be entered upon the journals of their respective houses. 
If the governor shall fail to return any bill, with his objections, within five days (Sundays 
excepted) after it shall have been presented to him, the same shall become a law without 
his signature, unless the General Assembly, by its adjournment, prevents its return, in which 
case it shall not become a law. Every joint resolution or order (except on questions of 
adjournment) shall likewise be presented to the governor for his signature, and before it shall 
take effect shall receive his signature; and on being disapproved by him shall, in like 
manner, be retvirned with his objections; and the same, before it shall take effect, shall be 
repassed by a majority of all the members elected to both houses, in the manner and accord- 
ing to the rules prescribed in case of a bill. 

ARTICLE IV.— Elections. 

Section i. Every male person of the age of twenty-one years, being a citizen of the 
United States, and a resident of this State for twelve months, and of the county wherein hs 
may offer his vote for six months next preceding the day of election, shall be entitled to vote 
for members of the General Assembly, and other civil officers for the county or district in 
which he resides; and there shall be no qualification attached to the right of suffrage, except 
that each voter shall give to the judges of election, where he offers to vote, satisfactory 
evidence that he has paid his poll taxes assessed against him for such preceding period as 
the Legislature shall prescribe, and at such time as may be prescribed by law; without which 
his vote can not be received. And all male citizens of the State shall be subiect to the 
payment of poll taxes and the performance of military duty within such ages as may be 
prescribed by law. The General .^ssembly shall have power to enact laws requiring voters 
to vote in the election precincts in which they may reside, and laws to secure the freedom 
of elections and the purity of the ballot-box. 

[Note. — • Lender the Const, of 1796, Art. Ill, -Sec. i, suffrage was restricted to freemen, 
otherwise qualified, possessing a freehold. That of 1834, Art. IV, Sec. i, confined 
it to free white men, and exempted free men of color from military duty, and from 
paying a free poll tax.] 



326 



Appendix. 



Sec. 2. Laws may be passed excluding from the right of suffrage persons who may be 
convicted of infamous crimes. 

[Note.— Const, of 1834, Art. IV, Sec. 2.] 

Sec. 3. Electors shall, in all cases, except treason, felony, or breach of the peace, be 
privileged from arrest or summons, during their attendance at elections, and in going to and 
returning from them. 

[Note. — Const, of 1834, Art. IV, Sec. 3; 1796, Art. Ill, Sec. 2, except the words, 
"or summons," which are there omitted.] 

Sec. 4. In all elections to be made by the General Assembly, the members thereof shall 
vote viva voce, and their votes shall be entered on the journal. All other elections shall be 
by ballot. 

[Note. — Const, of 1834, Art. IV, Sec. 4. 1796, Art. Ill, Sec. 3, was in these words: 
"All elections shall be by ballot."] 

ARTICLE v.— Impeachments. 

Section i. The House of Representatives shall have the sole power of impeachment. 

[Note.— Const, of 1796, Art. IV, Sec. i; 1834, Art. V, Sec. i.] 

Sec. 2. All impeachments shall be tried by the Senate. When sitting for that purpose, 
the Senators shall be upon oath or affirmation, and the Chief Justice of the Supreme 
Court, or if he be on trial, the Senior Associate Judge, shall preside over them. 
No person shall be convicted without the concurrence of two-thirds of the Senators sworn 
to try the officer impeached. 

[Note. — Const, of 1796, Art. IV, Sees. 2 and 3, and 1834, Art. V, Sec. 2, except the 
words in small capitals.] 

Sec. 3. The House of Representatives shall elect from their own body three members, 
whose duty it shall be to prosecute impeachments. No impeachment shall be tried until the 
Legislature shall have adjourned sine die, when the Senate shall proceed to try such impeach- 
ment. 

[Note.— Const, of 1834, Art. V, Sec. 3.] 

Sec. 4. The Governor, Judges of the Supreme Court, Judges of the inferior courts^ 
Chancellors, Attorneys for the State, Treasurer, Comptroller, and Secretary of State, 
shall be liable to impeachment whenever they may, in the opinion of the House of Representa- 
tives, commit any crime in their official capacity which may require disqualification; but 
judgment shall only extend to removal from office, and disqualification to fill any office 
thereafter. The party shall, nevertheless, be liable to indictment, trial, judgment, and 
punishment according to law. The Legislature now has, and shall continue to have, 

POWER TO relieve FROM THE PENALTIES IMPOSED, ANY PERSON DISQUALIFIED FROM HOLDING 
OFFICE BY THE JUDGMENT OF THE CoURT OF IMPEACHMENT. 

[Note. — Const, of 1834, Art. V, Sec. 4, except the words in, small capitals. The 
Const, of 1796, Art. IV, Sec. 4, was substantially the same as that of 1834, only it 
applied to the Governor and "all civil officers."] 
Sec. 5. Justices of the Peace, and other civil officers, not hereinbefore mentioned, for 
crimes or misdemeanors in office, shall be liable to indictment in such courts as the Legis- 
lature may direct; and, upon conviction, shall be removed from office by said court, as if 
found guilty on impeachment; and shall be s,ubject to such other punishment as may be 
prescribed by law. 

[Note.— Const, of 1834, Art. V, Sec. s-] 

ARTICLE VI.— Judicial Department. 
Section i. The judicial power of this State shall be vested in one Supreme Court, and in 
such Circuit, Chancery, and other inferior courts as the Legislature shall, from time to time, 
ordain and establish, in the Judges thereof, and in Justices of the Peace. The Legislature 
may also vest such jurisdiction in corporation courts as may be deemed necessary; courts to 
be holden by Justices of the Peace may also be established. 

[Note.— Const, of 1834, .^rt. VI, Sees, i and 3, in substance, except the words "Circuit" 
and "Chancery," which it does not contain. The Const, of 1796 vested the judicial 
power "in such superior and inferior courts of law and equity" as the Legislature 
might establish, Art. V, Sec. i.] 

Sec. 2. The Supreme Court shall consist of five Judges, of whom not more than two 
shall reside in any one of the grand divisions of the State. The Judges shall designate one 
of their own number who shall preside as Chief Justice. The concurrence of three of the 
Judges shall, in every case, be necessary to a decision. The jurisdiction of this court shall be 
appellate only, under such restrictions and regulations as may, from time to time, be 
prescribed by law; but it may possess such other jurisdiction as is now conferred by law on 
the present Supreme Court; said court shall be held at Knoxville, Nashville, and Jackson. 
[Note.— Const, of 1834, Art. VI, Sec. 2, provides that the Supreme Court shall consist 
of "three" Judges; does not require one to be designated as Chief Justice; and 
requires the court to be held at "one place, and one place only," in each of the 
three grand divisions. Otherwise it does not differ in substance from the above 
section.] 



Constitution. 327 

Sec. 3. The Judges of the Supreme Court shall be elected by the qualified voters of the 
State. The Legislature shall have power to prescribe such rules as may be necessary to 
carry out the provisions of Section 2, of this Article. Every Judge of the Supreme Court 
shall be thirty-five years of age, and shall, before his election, have been a resident of the 
State for five years. His term of service shall be eight years. 

[Note. — Under Const, of 1834, Art. VI, Sec. 3, Judges are elected by joint vote of both 
houses of the General Assembly, and the term of Supreme Judges is fixed at twelve 
years. The five years' residence was not required. By amendment ratified 
in 1853, Judges of the Supreme Court were to be elected by the qualified voters of 
the State at large for the term of eight years. Under the Const, of 1796, Art. V, 
Sec. 2, all Judges were to be elected by the General Assembly, and hold office 
during good behavior.] 

Sec. 4. The Judges of the Circuit and Chancery Courts, and of other inferior courts, shall 
be elected by the qualified voters of the district or circuit to which they are to be assigned. 
Every Judge of such courts shall be thirty years of age, and shall, before his election, have 
been a resident of the State for five years, and of the circuit or district one year. His term 
of service shall be eight years. 

[Note.— 1853 Amendment to the Const, of 1834, Art. VI, Sees. 3 and 4, in substance, 
except the words "Circuit and Chancery," and the five years' residence in the 
State, and one year in the circuit or district. Const, of 1796, Art. V, Sec. 2, pro- 
vided for the election of all Judges by the Legislature, and that they should hold 
office during good behavior.] 
Sec. s. An Attorney General and Reporter for the State, shall be appointed by the Judges 
of the Supreme Court, and shall hold his office for a term of eight years. An Attorney for 
the State for any circuit or district for which a Judge having criminal jurisdiction shall be 
provided by law, shall be elected by the qualified voters of such circuit or district, and shall 
hold his office for a term of eight years, and shall have been a resident of the State for five 
years, and of the circuit or district, one year. In all cases where the Attorney for any 
district fails or refuses to attend and prosecute according to law, the court shall have power 
to appoint an Attorney pro tempore. 

[Note. — By 1853 Amendment to Const, of 1834, Art. VI, Sec. s, the Attorney General 
was elected by the people, for a term of six years. Circuit or District Attorneys 
were elected for six years, and were not required to have been five years residents 
of the State, or one year of the circuit or district. Const, of 1796, Art. V, Sec. 2, 
the attorney or attorneys for the State were elected by the Legislature.] 

Sec. 6. Judges and Attorneys for the State may be removed from office by a concurrent vote 
of both houses of the General Assembly, each house voting separately; but two-thirds of the 
members to which each house may be entitled must concur in such vote; the vote shall 
be determined by ayes and noes, and the names of the members voting for or against the 
Judge or Attorney for the State, together with the cause or causes of removal, shall be 
entered on the journal of each house respectively. The Judge or Attorney for the State, 
against whom the Legislature may be about to proceed, shall receive notice thereof, accom- 
panied with a copy of the causes alleged for his removal, at least ten days before the day on 
which either house of the General Assembly shall act thereupon. 

[Note. — Const, of 1834, Art. VT, Sec. 6, except words in small capitals, instead of 
whicli it used these words: "all the members elected to each house."] 

Sec. 7. The Judges of the Supreme or inferior courts shall, at stated times, receive a 
compensation for their services, to be ascertained by law, which shall not be increased or 
diminished during the time for which they are elected. They shall not be allowed any fees 
or perquisites of office, nor hold any office of trust or profit under this State or the Ignited 
States. 

[Note.— Const, of 1834, Art. VI, Sec. 7. The Const, of 1796, Art. V, Sec. 3, omitted 
the words, "which shall not be increased or diminished during the time for which 
they are elected." Otherwise it was substantially the same.] 

.Sec. 8. The jurisdiction of the Circuit, Chancery, and other inferior courts, shall be as 
now established by law, until changed by the Legislature. 

[Note. — Const, of 1834, Art. VI, Sec. 8, was as follows: "The jurisdiction of such 
inferior courts as the Legislature may, from time to time, establish, shall be 
regulated by law."] 

Sec. 9. Judges shall not charge juries with respect to matters of fact, but may state the 
testimony and declare the law. 

[Note.— Const, of 1834, Art. VT, Sec. 9; and, substantially, 1796, Art. V, Sec. S-] 

Sec. 10. The Judges or Justices of inferior courts of law and equity, shall have power in 
civil cases, to issue writs of certiorari, to remove any cause or the transcript of the record 
thereof, from any inferior jurisdiction into such court of law, on sufficient cause, supported 
by oath or affirmation. 

[Note.— Substantially, Const, of 1796, Art. V, Sec. 7, and 1834. Art. VT. Sec. 10.] 

Sec. it. No Jvidge of the Supreme or inferior courts shall preside on the trial of any 
cause in the event of which he may be interested, or where either of the parties shall be. 



328 



Appendix. 



connected with him by affinity or consanguinity, within such degrees as may be prescribed 
by law, or in which he may have been of counsel, or in which he may have presided in any 
inferior court, except by consent of all the parties. In case all or any of the Judges of the 
Supreme Court shall be thus disqualified from presiding on the trial of any cause or causes, 
the court or the Judges thereof, shall certify the same to the Governor of the State, and he 
shall forthwith specially commission the requisite number of men, of law knowledge, for the 
trial and determination thereof. The Legislature may, by general laws, make provision 

THAT special JuDGES MAY BE APPOINTED TO HOLD ANY COURT, THE JUDGE OF WHICH SHALL 
BE UNABLE OR FAIL TO ATTEND, OR SIT, OR TO HEAR ANY CAUSE IN WHICH THE JUDGE MAY 
BE INCOMPETENT. 

[Note.— Const, of 1834, Art. VI, Sec. 11, down to the words in small capitals, instead 
of which it has the following: "In case of sickness of any of the Judges of the 
Supreme or inferior courts, so that they or any of them are unable to attend, the 
Legislature shall be authorized to make provision, by general laws, that special 
Judges may be appointed to attend said courts." The Const, of 1796, Art. V, 
Sec. 8, on the same subject, was not so full.] 
Sec. 12. All writs and other process shall run in the name of the State of Tennessee; 
and bear test and be signed by the respective clerks. Indictments shall conclude, "against 
the iieace and dignity of the State." 

[Note.— Const, of 1796, Art. V, Sec. 9; 1834, Art. VI, Sec. 12.] 

Sec. 13. Judges of the Supreme Court shall appoint their clerks, who shall hold their 
offices for si.x years. Chancellors shall appoint their clerks and masters, who shall hold 
their offices for six years. Clerks of the inferior courts, holden in the respective counties or 
districts, shall be elected by the qualified voters thereof for the term of four years. Any clerk 
may be removed from office for malfeasance, incompetency, or neglect of duty, in such 
manner as may be prescribed by law. 

[Note.— Substantially, Const, of 1834, Art. VI, Sec. 13. The Const, of 1796, Art. V, 
Sec. 10, was as follows: "Each court shall appoint its own clerk, who may hold his 
office during good behavior."] 
Sec. 14. No fine shall be laid on any citizen of this State, that shall exceed fifty dohars, 
unless it shall be assessed by a jury of his peers, who shall assess the fine at the time they 
find the fact, if they think the fine should be more than fifty dollars. 
[Note.— Const, of 1796, Art. V, Sec. 11; 1834, Art. VI, Sec. 14.] 

Sec. is. The different counties of this State shall be laid off as the General Assembly 

may direct, into districts of convenient size, so that the whole number in each county shall 

not be more than twenty-five, or four for every one hundred square miles. There shall be 

two Justices of the Peace and one constable elected in each district, by the qualified voters 

therein, except districts including county towns, which shall elect three Justices and two 

constables. The jurisdiction of said officers shall be coextensive with the county. Justices 

of the Peace shall be elected for the term of six, and constables for the term of two years. 

Upon removal of either of said officers from the district in which he was elected, his office 

shall become vacant from the time of such removal. Justices of the Peace shall be 

commissioned by the Governor. The Legislature shall have power to provide for the 

appointment of an additional number of Justices of the Peace in incorporated towns. 

[Note. — Const, of 1834, Art. VI, Sec. 15. The Const, of 1796, Art. V, Sec. 12, provided 

for the appointment of two Justices of the Peace for each captain's company, 

except that including the county town, which should not exceed three, who should 

hold their offices during good behavior.] 

ARTICLE VII.— State and County Officers. 

Section 1. There shall be elected in each county, by the qualified voters therein, one 
Sheriff, one Trustee, one Register; the Sheriff and Trustee for two years, and the Register 
for four years; but no person shall be eligible to the office of Sheriff more than six years in 
any term of eight years. There shall be elected for each county, by the Justices of the 
Peace, one Coronor and one Ranger, who shall hold their offices for two years. Said officers 
shall be removed for malfeasance or neglect of duty, in such manner as may be prescribed 
by law. 

[Note.— Const, of 1834, Art. VII, Sec. 1. Under the Const, of 1796, Art. VI, Sec. i, all 
these officers were to be elected by the County Court, some for two years, and 
some during good behavior.] 

Sec. 2. Should a vacancy occur, subsequent to an election, in the office of Sheriff, 
Trustee, or Register, it shall be filled by the Justices; if in that of the Clerk to be elected by 
the people, it shall be filled by the courts; and the person so appointed shall continue in 
office until his successor shall be elected and qualified; and such office shall be filled by 
the qualified voters at the first election for any of the county officers. 

[Note.— Const, of 1834, Art. VII, Sec. 2.] 

Sec. 3. There shall be a Treasurer or Treasurers and a Comptroller of the Treasury 
appointed for the Slate, by the vote of both houses of the General Assembly, who shall hold 
their offices for two years. 

[Note.— Neither the Const, of 1834, Art. VII, Sec. 3, nor 1796, Art. VI, Sec. 2, pro- 
vided for the appointment of a "Comptroller of the Treasury."] 



Constitution. 329 

Sec 4 The election of all officers and the filling of all vacancies not otherwise directed 
or provided by this Constitution, shall be made in such manner as the Legislature shall 
direct. 

[Note.— Substantially, Const, of 1834, Art. VII, Sec. 4. The Const, of 1796, Art. VI, 
Sec. 3, vested the appointment of all officers, not otherwise directed, in the 
Legislature.] 
Sec. s. Elections for judicial and other civil officers shall be held on the first Thursday 
in August, one thousand eight hundred and seventy, and forever thereafter on the first 
Thursday in August next preceding the expiration of their respective terms of service. 

The term of each officer so elected shall be computed from the first day of September 
next succeeding his election. The term of office of the Governor and other executive officers, 
shall be computed from the 15th day of January next after the election of the Governor. 
No appointment or election to fill a vacancy shall be made for a period extending beyond the 
unexpired term. Every officer shall hold his office until his successor is elected or appointed 
and qualified. No special election shall be held to fill a vacancy in the office of Judge or 
District Attorney, but at the time herein fixed for the biennial election of civil officers. And 
such vacancy shall be filled at the next biennial election occurring more than thirty days 
after the vacancy occurs. 

[Note.— The Const, of 1834, Art. VII, Sec. 5, provided only for holding elections one 
day and that county and other officers should not be elected at the same time the 
general elections were held for members of Congress, members of the Legislature 
and Governor. And by an Amendment, adopted in 1853, the Legislature was 
required to appoint a day for the election of Judges and Attorneys General separate 
and apart from the day for holding the election for State and county officers.] 

ARTICLE VIII.— Militia. 
Section i. All militia officers shall be elected by persons subject to military duty, within 
the bounds of their several companies, battalions, regiments, brigades, and divisions, under 
such rules and regulations as the Legislature may, from time to time, direct and establish. 
[Note.— Const, of 1834, Art. VIII, Sec. i. Under the Const, of 1796, Art. VII, Sees. 
I, 2, 3, 4, and 6, captains, subalterns, and non-commissioned officers were elected 
by those citizens of the district who were subject to military duty; field officers 
by those of the county; brigadier generals by the field officers of the brigades; 
and major generals by the brigadiers and field officers of the divisions. Captains 
and subalterns of cavalry were appointed by the troops of the company, and the 
field officers of the district by the captains and subalterns.] 
Sec. 2. The Governor shall appoint the Adjutant General, and his other staflF officers; 
the Major Generals, Brigadier Generals, and commanding officers of regiments, shall respect- 
ively appoint their staff officers. 

[Note.— Const, of 1834, Art. VIII, Sec. 2; and see Const, of 1796, Art. VII, Sec. 5.] 
Sec. 3. The Legislature shall pass laws exempting citizens belonging to any sect or 
denomination of religion, the tenets of which are known to be opposed to bearing arms, 
from attending private and general musters. 

[Note.— Const, of 1796, Art. VII, Sec. 7; 1834, Art. VIII, Sec. 3.] 

ARTICLE IX.— Disqualifications. 

Section i. Whereas, ministers of the gospel are, by their profession, dedicated to God 
and the care of souls, and ought not to be diverted from the great duties of their functions; 
therefore, no minister of the gospel or priest of any denomination whatever, shall be eligible 
to a seat in either house of the Legislature. 

[Note.— Const, of 1796, Art. VIII, Sec. i; 1834, Art. IX, Sec. i.] 

Sec. 2. No person who denies the being of God, or a future state of rewards and punisli- 
ments, shall hold any office in the civil department of this State. 

[Note.— Const, of 1796, Art. VIII, Sec. 2; 1834, Art. IX, Sec. 2.] 

Sec. 3. Any person who shall, after the adoption of this Constitution, fight a duel, or 
knowingly be the bearer of a challenge to fight a duel, or send, or accept a challenge for 
that purpose, or be an aider or abettor in fighting a duel, shall be deprived of the right to 
hold any office of honor or profit in this State, and shall be punished otherwise, in such 
manner as the Legislature may prescribe. 

[Note.— Const, of 1834, Art. IX, Sec. 3.] 

ARTICLE X.— Oaths, Bribery of Electors, New Counties. 
Section i. Every person who shall be chosen or appointed to any office of trust or profit 
under this Constitution, or any law made in pursuance thereof, shall, before entering upon the 
duties thereof, take an oath to support the Constitution of this State, and of the United 
States, and an oath of office. 

[Note.— Const, of 1834, Art. X. Sec. i. The Const, of 1796. Art. IX, Sec. i, did not 

require an oath to support the Constitution of the United States.] 
Sec. 2. Each member of the Senate and House of Representatives shall, before they 
proceed to business, take an oath or affirmation to support the Constitution of this State, 



330 Appendix. 

and of the United States, and also the following oath: '"I, , do solemnly 

swear (or affirm) that, as a member of this General Assembly, 1 will, in all appointments, 
vote without favor, affection, partiality, or prejudice; and that I will not propose or assent 
to any bill, vote, or resolution, which shall appear to me injurious to the people, or consent 
to any act or thing whatever, that shall have a tendency to lessen or abridge their rights 
and privileges, as declared by the Constitution of this State." 

[Note.— Const, of 1834, Art. X, Sec. 2. The Const, of 1796, Art. IX, Sec. 2, is the 
same, except that it does not require an oath to support the Constitution of the 
United States.] 
Sec. 3. Any elector who shall receive any gift or reward for his vote, in meat, drink, 
money, or otherwise, shall suffer such punishment as the laws shall direct. And any person 
who shall directly or indirectly give, promise, or bestow any such reward to be elected, 
shall thereby be rendered incapable, for six years, to serve in the office for which he was 
elected, and be subject to such further punishment as the Legislature shall direct. 
[Note.— Const, of 1796, Art. IX, Sec. 3; 1834, Art. X, Sec. 3. J 

Sec. 4. New counties may be established by the Legislature, to consist of not less than 
two hundred and seventy-five square miles, and which shall contain a population of seven 
hundred qualified voters. No line of such county shall approach the court house of any 
old county, from which it may be taken, nearer than eleven miles, nor shall said old county 
be reduced to less than five hundred square miles. But the following exceptions are made 
to the foregoing provisions, viz.: New counties may be established by the present or any 
succeeding Legislature, out of the following territory, to wit: Out of that portion of Obion 
County which lies west of low-water mark of Reelfoot Lake; out of fractions of Sumner, 
Macon, and Smith counties, but no line of such new county shall approach the court house 
of Sumner or Smith counties nearer than ten miles, nor include any part of Macon County 
lying within gVi miles of the court house of said county; nor shall more than twenty square 
miles of Macon County, nor any part of Sumner County lying due west of the western 
boundary of Macon County, be taken in the formation of said new county; out of fractions 
of Grainger and Jefferson counties, but no line of such new county shall include any part 
of Grainger County north of Holston River; nor shall any line thereof approach the court 
house of Jefferson County nearer than eleven miles; such new county may include any 
other territory which is not excluded by any general provisions of this Constitution; out of 
fractions of Jackson and Overton counties, but no line of such new county shall approach 
the court house of Jackson or Overton counties nearer than ten miles; nor shall such coimty 
contain less than four hundred qualified voters, nor shall the area of either of the old 
counties be reduced below four hundred and fifty square miles; out of fractions of Roane, 
Monroe, and Blount counties, around the town of Loudon, but no line of such new county 
shall ever approach the towns of Maryville, Kingston, or Madisonville nearer than eleven 
miles, except that on the south side of Tennessee River said lines may approach as near as 
ten miles to the court house of Roane County. 

The counties of Lewis, Cheatham, and Sequatchie, as now established by legislative 
enactments, are hereby declared to be constitutional counties. No part of Bledsoe County 
shall be taken to form a new county, or a part thereof, or be attached to any adjoining 
county. 

That portion of Marion County, included within the following boundaries: Beginning 
on the Grundy and Marion county line, at the Nick-a-jack Trace, and running about six 
hundred yards west of Ben Posey's, to where the Tennessee Coal Railroad crosses the line, 
running thence southeast, through the Pocket, near William Summer's, crossing the Battle 
Creek Gulf at the corner of Thomas Wooten's field; thence running across the Little Gizzard 
Gulf at Raven Point; thence in a direct line to the bridge crossing the Big Fiery Gizzard; 
thence in a direct line to the mouth of Holy Water Creek; thence up said creek to the 
Grundy County line, and thence with said line to the beginning, is hereby detached from 
Marion County, and attached to the County of Grundy. 

No part of a county shall be taken off to form a new county, or a part thereof, without 
the consent of two-thirds of the qualified voters in such part taken off. And, where an old 
county is reduced for the purpose of forming a new one, the seat of justice in said old 
county shall not be removed without the concurrence of two-thirds of both branches of the 
Legislature, nor shall tlie seat of justice of any county be removed without the concurrence 
of two-thirds of the qualified voters of the county. But the foregoing provision requiring a 
two-thirds majority of the voters of a county to remove its county seat, shall not apply to 
the counties of Obion and Cocke. 

The fractions taken from old counties to form new counties, or taken from one county 
and added to another, shall continue liable for their pro rata of all debts contracted by their 
respective counties prior to the separation, and be entitled to their proportion of any stocks 
or credits belonging to such old counties. 

[Note. — Const, of 1796, Art. IX, Sec. 4, prohibited the formation of new counties with 
less than 625 square miles, or the reduction of old counties to a less content. 
The Const, of 1834, Art. X, Sec. 4, allowed the formation of new counties of not 
less than 350 square miles, and 450 qualified voters, but prohibited the reduction of 
an old county to less than 625 square miles, or the approach of the line' of a new- 
county nearer than twelve miles of the court house of any old county.] 
Sec. _s. The citizens who may be included in any new county shall vote with the county 
or counties, from which they may have been stricken off, for the members of Congress, for 



Constitution. 331 



governor, and for members of the General Assembly, until the next apportionment of 
members to the General Assembly after the establishment of such new county. 

[Note. — Const, of 1S34, Art. X, Sec. 5. On this subject the Const, of 1796, Art. IX, 
Sec. 4, provided that "All new counties, as to the right of suffrage and representa- 
tion, shall be considered as a part of the county or counties from which it was 
taken until entitled by numbers to the right of representation."] 

ARTICLE XI. — Miscellaneous Provisions. 

Section i. All laws and ordinances now in force and xise in this State, not inconsistent 
with this Constitution, shall continue in force and use until they shall expire, or be alt»re'< 
or repealed oy the Legislature. But ordinances contained in any former Constitu 

TION OR schedule THERETO, ARE HEREBY ABROGATED. 

[Note. — ^ Const, of 1796, Art. X, Sec. 2, and 1834, Art. XI, Sec. i, except the words in 

SMALL CAPITALS.] 

Sec 2. Nothing contained in this Constitution shall impair the validity of any debts or 
contracts, or aflfect any rights of property, or any suits, actions, riglits of action, or othti 
proceedings in courts of justice. 

[Note.— Const, of 1834, Art. XI, Sec. j.] 

Sec. 3. Any amendment or amendments to this Constitution may be proposed in the 
Senate or House of Representatives; and, if the same shall be agreed to by a maiority of 
all the members elected to each of the two houses, such proposed amendment or amendments 
shall be entered on their journals, with the yeas and nays thereon, and referred to the 
General .Assembly then next to be chosen; and shall be published six months previous to 
the time of making such clioice; and if in the General Assembly then next chosen as 
aforesaid, such proposed amendment or amendments shall be agreed to by two-thirds of all 
the members elected to each house, then it shall be the duty of the General Assembly to 
submit such proposed amendment or amendments to the people, in such manner and at such 
times as the General Assembly shall prescribe. And if the people shall approve and ratify 
such amendment or amendments, by a majority of all the citizens of the State, voting for 
Representatives, voting in their favor, such amendment or amendments shall become a part 
of this Constitution. When any amendment or amendments to the Coristitution shall be 
proposed in pursuance of the foregoing provisions, the same shall, at each of said sessions, 
be read three times on three several days in each house. The Legislature shall not propose 
amendments to the Constitution oftener than once in six years. The Legislature shall 

HAVE the right, AT ANY TIME, BY LAW, TO SUBMIT TO THE PEOPLE THE QUESTION OF CALLING 

A Convention to alter, reform, or abolish this Constitution, and when, upon such 

SUBMISSION, a majority OF ALL THE VOTES CAST SHALL BE IN FAVOR OF SAID PROPOSITION, 
THEN DELEGATES SHALL BE CHOSEN, AND THE CONVENTION SHALL ASSEMBLE IN SUCH 
MODE AND MANNER AS SHALL BE PRESCRIBED. 

[Note. — Const, of 1834, Art. XI, Sec. 3, except the words in small capitals, which 
are new. See Const, of 1796, Art. X, Sec. 3.] 

Sec. 4. The Legislature shall have no power to grant divorces, but may authorize the 
courts of justice to grant them for such causes as may be specified by law; but such laws 
shall be general and uniform in their operation throughout the State. 

[Note.— Const, of 1834, Art. XI, Sec. 4.] 

Sec 5. The Legislature shall have no power to authorize lotteries for any purpose, and 
shall pass laws to prohibit the sale of lottery tickets in this State. 

[Note.— Const, of 1834, Art. XI, Sec. 5.] 

Sec. 6. The Legislature shall have no power to change the names of persons, or to pass 
acts adopting or legitimating persons, but shall, by general laws, confer this power on the 
courts. 

Sec 7. The Legislature shall fix the rate of interest, and the rate so established shall be 
equal and uniform throughout the State; but the Legislature may provide for a conven- 
tional rate of interest, not to exceed ten per cent per annum. 

[Note. — Const, of 1834, Art. XI, Sec. 6, except the words in small capitals, which 
are new.] 

Sec. 8. The Legislature shall have no power to suspend any general law for the benefit 
of any particular individual, nor to pass any law for the benefit of individuals, inconsistent 
with the general laws of the land; nor to pass any law granting to any individual or individ- 
uals, rights, privileges, immunities, or exemptions, other than such as may be. by the same 
law, extended to any member of the community who may be able to bring himself within the 
provisions of such law. No corporation shall be created, or its powers increased or 

DIMINISHED BY SPECIAL LAWS; BUT THE CiENERAL ASSEMBLY SHALL PROVIDE, BY GENERAL 
LAWS, FOR THE ORGANIZATION OF ALL CORPORATIONS HEREAFTER CREATED, WHICH LAWS MAY, 
AT ANY TIME, BE ALTERED OR REPEALED; AND NO SUCH ALTERATION OR REPEAL SHALL 
INTERFERE WITH, OR DIVEST, RIGHTS WHICH HAVE BECOME VESTED. 

[Note. — Const, of 1834, Art. XI, Sec. 7, except the words in small capitals, instead 
of which it has the following: "Provided, always, the Legislature shall have power 
to grant such charters of incorporation as they may deem expedient for the public 
good."] 



332 Appendix. 

Sec. 9. The Legislature shall have the right to vest such powers in the courts of justice, 
with regard to private and local affairs, as may be deemed expedient. 
[Note.— Const, of 1834, Art. XI, Sec. 8.] 

Sec. 10. A well regulated system of internal improvement is calculated to develop the 
resources of the State, and promote the happniess and prosperity of her citizens; therefore, 
it ought to be encouraged by the General Assembly. 
[Note.— Const, of 1834, Art. XI, Sec. 9.] 

Sec. II. A homestead, in the possession of each head of a family, and the improvements 
thereon, to the value of, in all of one thousand dollars, shall be exempt from sale imder legal 
process during the life of such head of a family, to inure to the benefit of the widow, and shall 
be exempt during the minority of their children occupying the same. Nor shall said 
property be alienated without the joint consent of husband and wife when that relation 
exists. This exemption shall not operate against public taxes, nor debts contracted for the 
purchase money of such homestead, or improvements thereon. 

Sec. 12. Knowledge, learning, and virtue being essential to the preservation of republican 
institutions, and the diffusion of the opportunities and advantages of education throughout 
the different portions of the State being highly conducive to the promotion of this end, it 
shall be the duty of the General Assembly, in all future periods of this government, to cherish 
literature and science. And the fund called the common school fund, and all the lands and 
proceeds thereof, dividends, stocks, and other property of every description whatever, here- 
tofore by law appropriated by the General Assembly of this State for the use of common 
schools, and all such as shall hereafter be appropriated, shall remain a perpetual fund, the 
principal of which shall never be diminished by legislative appropriation; and the interest 
thereof shall be inviolably appropriated to the support and encouragement of common schools 
throughout the State, and for the equal benefit of all the people thereof; and no law shall 
be made authorizing said fund or any part thereof to be diverted to any other use than the 
support and encouragement of common schools. The State taxes derived hereafter 
from polls shall be appropriated to educational purposes, in such manner as the 
General Assembly shall, from time to time, direct by law. No school established 
or aided under this section shall allow white and negro children to be received 
AS SCHOLARS TOGETHER IN THE SAME SCHOOL. The abovc provision shall not prevent the 
Legislature from carrying into effect any laws that have been passed in favor of the colleges, 
universities, or academies, or from authorizing heirs or distributees to receive and enjoy 
escheated property under such laws as may be passed from time to time. 

[Note. — Const, of 1834, Art. XI, Sees. 10 and 11, e.xcept the words in small capitals, 

instead of which it has the following: "And it shall be the duty of the General 

Assembly to appoint a Board of Commissioners, for such term of time as they 

may think proper, who shall have the general superintendence of said fund, and 

who shall make a report of the condition of the same from time to time, under 

such rules, regulations, and restrictions as may be required by law; provided, 

that if at any time hereafter a division of the public lands of the United States, 

or of the money arising from the sale of such lands, shall be made among the 

individual States, the part of such lands or money coming to this State shall be 

devoted to the purposes of education and internal improvement; and shall never 

be applied to any other purpose."] 

Sec. i^. The General Assembly shall have power to enact laws for the protection and 

preservation of game and fish within the State, and such laws may be enacted for, and applied 

and enforced in particular counties or geographical districts designated by the General 

Assembly. 

Sec. 14. The intermarriage of white persons with negroes, mulattoes, or persons of mixed 
blood, descended from a negro to the third generation, inclusive, or their living together as 
man and wife, in this State, is prohibited. The Legislature shall enforce this Section by 
appropriate legislation. 

Sec. 15. No person shall, in time of peace, be required to perform any service to the 
public on any day set apart by his religion as a day of rest. 

Sec. 16. The declaration of rights, hereto prefixed, is declared to be a part of the 
Constitution of this State, and shall never be violated on any pretense whatever. And to 
guard against transgression of the high powers we have delegated, we declare that everything 
in the Bill of Rights contained is excepted out of the general powers of the government, and 
shall forever remain inviolate. 

[Note. — Const, of 1834, Art. XI, Sec. 12. The Const, of 1796, Art. X, Sec. 4. not only 
excepted everything in the Bill of Rights, but "every other right not hereby 
delegated," out of the general powers of the government.] 
Sec. 17. No county office created by the Legislature shall be filled otherwise than by the 
people or the County Court. 



THE SCHEDULE. 

Section 1. That no inconvenience may arise from a change of the Constitution, it is 
declared that the Governor of the State, the members of the General Assembly, and all 
officers elected at or after the general election of March, 1870, shall hold their offices for the 
terms prescribed in this Constitution. 



Constitution. 



333 



Officers appointed by the courts shall be tilled by appointment, to be made and to take 
effect during ilie first term of the court held by Judges elected under this Constitution. 

All otlier otticers shall vacate their places thirty days after the day fixed for the election 
of their successors under this Constitution. 

The Secretary of State, Comptroller, and Treasurer shall hold their offices until the first 
session of the present General Assembly occurring after the ratification of this Constitution, 
and until their successors are elected and qualified. 

The officers then elected shall hold their omces until the fifteenth day of January, 1873. 

Sec. 2. At the first election of Judges under this Constitution, there shall be elected six 
Judges of the Supreme Court, two from each grand division of the State, who shall hold 
their offices for tiie term herein prescribed. 

In the event any vacancy shall occur in the office of either of said Judges at any time 
after the first day of January, 1873, it shall remain unfilled, and the court shall from that time 
be constituted of five Judges. 

While the court shall consist of six Judges they may sit in two sections, and may hear 
and determine causes in each at the same time, but not in different grand divisions at the 
same time. 

When so sitting the concurrence of two Judges shall be necessary to a decision. 

The Attorney General and Reporter for the Slate shall be appointed after the election 
and qualification of the Judges of the Supreme Court herein provided for. 

Sec. 3. i!,very Judge and every officer of the Executive Department of the State, and every 
Sheriff holding over under this Constitution shall, within twenty days after the ratification 
of this Constitution is proclaimed, take an oath to support the same; and the failure ol any 
officer to take such oath shall vacate his office. 

Sec. 4. The time which has elapsed from the sixth day of May, 1S61, until the first day 
of January, 1S67, shall not be computed 111 any cases affected by tlie statutes of limitation, 
nor shall any writ of error be affected by such lapse of time. 

Done in Convention, at Nashville, the twenty-third day of February, in the year of our 
Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy, and of the independence of the United 
States, the ninety-fourth. In testimony whereof, we have hereunto set our names. 

JOHN C. BROWN, President. 

R. Henderson, 
H. L. W. Hill, 
Spl. Hill, 
Sam. S. House, 
Jno. F. House, 
T. B. IviE, 
Thomas M. Jones, 
David N. Kennedy, 

D. M. Key, 

Sam. J. KiRKPATRICK, 

A. A. Kyle, 
Jos. A. Mabry, 
A. G. McDougal, 
Malcolm McNabb, 
Matt Martin, 
John H. Meeks, 
Thos. C. Morris, 
J. Netherland, 
A. O. P. Nicholson, 
Geo. C. Porter, 
Jas. D. Porter, Jr., 
Geo. E. Seay, 
Samuel G. Shepard, 

E. H. Shelton, 
Wm. H. Stephens, 
John M. Taylor, 
J. C. Thompson, 
W. Vance Thompson, 
James J. Turner, 
Geo. W. Watters, 
Richard Warner, Jr., 
W. H. Williamson, 
W. M. Wright. 

T. E. S. RUSSWURM, 

Secretary. 



John Allen, 
Jesse Arledge, 
Humphrey R. Bate, 
Jno. Baxter, 
A. Blizzard, 
Nathan Brandon, 
James Britton, 
R. p. Brooks, 
Neill S. Brown. 
James S. Brown, 
t. m. burkett, 
Jno. W. Burton, 
Wm. Byrne, 
Alex. W. Campbell, 
Wm. Blount Carter, 
Z. R. Chowning, 
James A. Coffin, 
Warren Cummings, 
Robert P. Cvpert. 
Thos. D. Deavenport, 
W. V. Deadrick, 
G. G. Dibrell, 
W. F. Doherty, 
J. E. Dromgoole, 
James Fentress, 

A. T. Fielder, 
P. G. Fulkerson, 
John A. Gardner, 
John E. Garner, 
S. P. Gaut, 
Charles N. Gibbs, 

B. Gordon, 

J. B. Heiskell, 



Thos. W. Jones, 

Assistant Secretary. 
W. S. Kyle, 

2d Assistant Secretary. 



334 Appendix. 

ORDINANCE. 

1. Be it ordained by the Convention, That it sliall be the duty of the several officers of 
the State, authorized by law to hold elections for members of the General Assembly and 
other officers, to open and hold an election at the place of holding said elections in their 
respective counties, on the fourth Saturday in March, 1870, for the purpose of receiving the 
votes of such qualified voters as may desire to vote for the ratification or rejection of the 
Constitution recommended by this Convention. And the qualification of voters in said 
election be the same as that required in the election of delegates to this Convention. 

2. It shall be the duty of said returning officers, in each county in this State, to enroll 
the name of each voter on the poll books prepared for said election, and shall deposit each 
ballot in the ballot boxes respectively. Each voter who wishes to ratify the new Constitution 
shall have written or printed on his ticket the words, "New Constitution," or words of 
like import; and each voter who wishes to vote against the ratification of the new Constitu- 
tion, shall have written or printed on his ticket the words, "Old Constitution," or words of 
like import. 

3. The election shall be held, and the judges and clerks shall be appointed, as in the 
case of the election of the members of the General Assembly; and the returning officers, in 
presence of the judges or inspectors, shall count the votes given for the "New Constitution," 
and of those given for the "Old Constitution," of which they shall keep a correct estimate 
in said poll-books. They shall deposit the original poll-books of said election with the 
Clerks of the County Courts in the respective counties, and shall, within five days after the 
election, make out accurate statements of the number of votes in their respective counties, 
for or against the "New Constitution," and immediately forward by mail, one copy of said 
certificates to the Governor, and one to the Speaker of the Senate. So soon as the poll-books 
are deposited with the County Court Clerks, they shall certify to the President of the 
Convention an accurate statement of the number of votes cast for or against the "New 
Constitution," as appears on said poll-books. And, if any of said returning officers shall 
fail to make the returns herein provided for within the time required, the Governor shall be 
authorized to send special messengers for the result of the vote in those counties whose 
officers have so failed to make returns. 

4. Upon the receipt of said returns, it shall be the duty of the Governor, Speaker of the 
Senate, and the President of this Convention, or any two of them, to compare the votes cast 
in said election; and if it shall appear that a majority of all the votes cast for and against 
the new Constitution were for "New Constitution," it shall be the duty of the Governor, 
Speaker of the Senate, and President of this Convention, or any two of them, to append to 
this Constitution a certificate of the result of the votes, from which time the Constitution 
shall be established as the Constitution of Tennessee, and the Governor shall make proclama- 
tion of the result. 

5. The tJovernor of the State is requested to issue his proclamation as to the election on 
the fourth Saturday in March, 1870, hereto provided for. 

JOHN C. BRUWN, President. 
Attest: T. E. S. RUSSWURM, Secretary. 



PROCLAMATION. 

State of Tennessee, Executive Department, ] 

Nashville, May 5, 1870. J 

In pursuance of the fourth ordinance of the late Constitutional Convention, I hav© 
carefully examined the official returns of the election held on the twenty-sixth day of 
March last, for the ratification or rejection of the proposed Constitution for the State lof 
Tennessee (except the counties of Knox, Grainger, Roane, and Overton, which returns have 
not been received), and find the number of votes cast for the "New Constitution" to be 
(98,128) ninety-eight thousand one hundred and twenty-eight, and for the "Old Constitution" 
(33>872) thirty-three thousand eight hundred and seventy-two, being a majority of (64,256) 
sixty-four thousand two hundred and fifty-six for the New Constitution. 

Now, therefore, I, D. W. C. Senter, Governor of the State of Tennessee, by virtue of 
the power and authority in me vested, do hereby declare and proclaim that the New Consti- 
tution, as submitted to the people, was ratified by them at the ballot box on the twenty-sixth 
day of March last, by said majority of (64,256) sixty-four thousand two hundred and fifty-six 
votes. 

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my official signature, and ordered the 
Great Seal of the State to be affixed. 

Done at the Department in the city of Nashville, this fifth day of May, in the year of 
our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy, and of the American Independence the 
ninety-fourth. 

D. VV. C. SENTER. 

By the Governor: 

A. J. Fletcher, 

Secretary of State. 



BlBi,IOGRAPHY. 335 

BIBLIOGRAPHY OF TENNESSEE HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



Adair, James. History o£ the American 

Indians. Lonaon, 1775. 
Allen, William B., Life of. By VV. P. 

Kowles. Columbia, 1853. 
Allison, John. Dropped btitches in Tennes- 
see History. Nashville, 1897. 
American Historical Magazine, W. R. 

Garrett, Editor. January, 1896, to April, 

1900. Nashville. 
Annals of the Army of Tennessee and Early 

Western rlistory, E. L. Drake, Editor. 

April to December, 1878. Nasliville. 
Baily, Francis. Journal of a Tour in Un- 
settled Part of North America in 1796 and 

1797. London, 1856. 
Beard, Richard. Biographical Sketches 

(.First Series). Nashville, 1867. 
Beard, Richard. Biographical Sketches 

(Second Series). Nashville, 1874. 
Bedford County, History of. By H. L. 

Davidson. Chattanooga, 1877. 
Bell, John, and Everett, Lives of. New 

York, i860. 
Benton, Thomas H., Life of. By Theodore 

Roosevelt. Boston and New York, 1891. 
Benton, Thomas H. Thirty Years' View. 

Two Volumes. New York, 1854. 
Bishop, Joseph, Life of. By Jno. \V. Gray. 

Nashville. 
Blake, T. C. The Old Log House. Nash- 
ville, 1893. 
Blanton, J. O. Pre-historic Man in Ten- 
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Blount, William, Life of. By Marcus J. 

Wright. Washington. 
Borum, Joseph. Biographical Sketches of 

Tennessee Baptist Ministers. Memphis, 

1880. 
Breazeale, J. W. M. Life as it is. Knox- 

ville, 184J. 
Brooks, John, Autobiography of. Nashville, 

1848. 
Brown, Aaron V. Speeches. Nashville, 1854. 
Brown, Joseph. An Indian Tale. Nashville. 
Brownlow, William G. Sketches of the Rise, 

Progress, and Decline of Secession. 

Philadelphia, 1S62. 
Brownlow, William G. Political Register 

and Life of Henry Clay. Jonesboro, 1844, 
Caldwell, Joshua W. Constitutional History 

of Tennessee. Cincinnati, 1895. 
Caldwell, Joshua W. Bench and Bar of Ten 

nessee. Knoxville, 1898. 
Carpenter, W. H. History of Tennessee, 

Philadelphia, 1854. 
Carr, John. Early Times in Middle Ten 

nessee. Nashville, 1857. 
Carrigan, Jo. G. Cheat Mountain Campaign 

Nashville, 1883. 
Cartwright. Peter, Autobiography of. New 

York, 1857. 
Champlin, James. Autobiography of. Colum 

bus, 1842. 
Clarksville, History of. Clarksville, 1887. 
Crockett, David. Life of. By Himself. New 

York. 
Crockett, David, Life of. By Edward S. 

Ellis. Philadelphia. 
Crockett, David, Life of. By J. C. S. Abbott. 

New York. 



Crockett, David, Sketches and Eccentricities 
of. New York, 1833. 

Davidson County, History of. By W. W. 
Clayton. Philadelphia, 1880. 

Donnell, George, Life of. By T. C. Ander- 
son. Nashville, 1858. 

Donnell, Robert, Life of. By David Lowry. 
Alton, 1867. 

Donnell, Robert. Thoughts on Various 
Subjects. Nashville, 1880. 

Draper, Lyman C. King's Mountain and 
its Pleroes. Cincinnati, 1881. 

East Tennessee. Historical and Biograph- 
ical. Chattanooga, 1893. 

Elmwood Cemetery (Memphis). Memphis, 
1874. 

Ewing, Finis, Life of. By F. R. Cossitt. 
Louisville. 

Flint, Timothy. Geography and History of 
the Mississippi Valley. Two volumes. 
Cincinnati and Boston, 1833. . 

Foote, H. S. Bench and Bar of the South 
and Southwest. St. Louis, 1876. 

Forest, Mary. Distinguished Women of the 
South. New York, 1865. 

Forrest, N. B., The Campaigns of. By 
Jordan and Pryor. Memphis, 1868. 

Forrest, N. B., Life of. By J. A. Wyeth. 
New York, 1899. 

Free, G. D. History of Tennessee. Church 
Hill, Ky., 1895. 

Garrett, William R. History of the South 
Carolina Cession, and the Northern 
Boundary of Tennessee. Nashville, 1884. 

Garrett, W. R. The South as a Factor in 
the Expansion of the United States — in 
Volume I, Confederate Military History. 
Atlanta, Ga., 1899. 

Gilmore, James R. Rear Guard of the Rev- 
olution. New York, 1886. 

Gilmore, James R. John Sevier as a Com- 
monwealth Builder. New York, 1887. 

Gilmore, James R. Advance Guard of 
Western Civilization. New York, 1888. 

Goodpasture, Jefferson Dillard, Life of. By 
A. V. and W. H. Goodpasture. Nash- 
ville, 1897. 

Goodspeed. History of Tennessee. Nash- 
ville, 1886. 

(Diflferent issues of this work are bovind 
with Historical and Biographical 
Sketches of different groups of counties, 
which, taken altogether, embrace nearly 
all of the more important counties in 
the State.) 

Green, A. L. P., Life and Papers of. By 
William M. Green. Nashville. 1877. 

Green, Nathan. Echoes from Caruthers 
Hall. Nashville, 1889. 

Guild, Joe C. Old Times in Tennessee 
Nashville, 1878. 

Hale, Will T. The Backward Trail. Nash 
ville, 1899. 

Ilallum. John. The Diary of an Old Lawyer, 
Nashville, 1885. 

Hancock, R. R. History of the Second Ten 
nessee Cavalry, C. S. A. Nashville, 1887 



336 



Appendix. 



Hardin County, History of. By B. G. Bra- 
zelton. Washville, 1885. 

Hatton, Robert, Life of. By J. V. Drake. 
Kashville, 1867. 

Haywood, John. Civil and Political History 
of Tennessee. Knoxville, 1823. 

Haywood, John. Natural and Aboriginal 
History of Tennessee. Nashville, 18^3. 

Head, Thomas A. Campaigns and Battles 
of the Sixteenth Regiment Tennessee 
Volunteers. Nashville, 1885. 

Hickman County, History of. By W. Jerome 
D. and D. L. Spence. Nashville, 1900. 

Holloway, Laura Carter. The Ladies of the 
White House. New York, 1870. 

Houston, Sam, Life of. New York, 1855. 

Houston, Sam, Life and Select Literary Re- 
mains of. By VV. C. Crane. Philadel- 
phia, 1885. 

Houston, Sam, Life of. By Henry Bruce. 
New York. 

Humes, Thomas W. The Loyal Mountain- 
eers of Tennessee. Knoxville, 1888. 

Imlay, Gilbert. Topographical Description 
of the Western Territory of North Amer- 
ica. Third Edition. London, 1797. 

Jackson, Andrew, Life of. By John Reed 
and John Henry Eaton. Philadelphia, 
1817. 

J,ackson, Andrew, Memoirs of. By S. Put- 
nam Waldo. Hartford, 1819. 

Jackson, Andrew, Civil and Military History 
of. By an American Officer. New 
York, 1825. 

Jackson, Andrew, Some Account of. By a 
Gentleman of the Baltimore Bar. Balti- 
more, 1828. 

Jackson, Andrew, Biography of. By Philo A. 
Goodwin. Hartford, 1832. 

Jackson, Andrew, Life of. By William 
Cobbett. New York, 1834. 

Jackson, Andrew, Complete Memoirs of. 
New York. 

Jackson, Andrew, Life of. By James Parton. 
Three volumes. Boston. 

Jackson, Andrew, Life of. By a Citizen of 
Massachusetts. Philadelphia. 

Jackson, Andrew, Life of. By W. G. Sum- 
ner. Boston, 1891. 

Jackson, Andrew, Pictorial Life of. By 
John Frost. Hartford. 

Jackson, Andrew, Life of. By Alexander 
Walker. Philadelphia. 

Jackson, Andrew, Life and Public Services 
of. By John S. Jenkins. Philadelphia. 

Jackson, Andrew, Life of. By Oliver Dyer. 
New York. 

Jackson, Andrew, Life of. By J. T. Headley. 

New York. 
Jackson, Andrew, Addresses on the Presenta- 
tion of the Sword of. Washington, 1855. 
Jackson, Andrew, Monument to the Memory 
of. Compiled by D. M. Dusenberry. 
Philadelphia, 1848. 
Jackson, Andrew, Tennessee and the LTnion. 

By A. V. Goodpasture. Nashville. 
Johnson, Andrew, Life and Public Services 
of. By John Savage. New York, 1867. 
Johnson, Andrew, Speeches of. By Frank 

Moore. Boston, 1866. 
Johnson, Andrew, Life and Speeches of. By 
G. W. Bacon. London. 



Johnson, Andrew, Life and Speeches of. By 

Lillian Foster. New York, i856. 
Johnson, Andrew, Life, Speeches, and Public 

Services of. Philadelphia. 
Johnson, Andrew, Life of. By a National 

Man. New York, 1866. 
Johnson, Andrew, Impeachment of. Three 

volumes. Washington, 1868. 
Johnson, Andrew, Memorial Addresses on 

Life and Character of Washington, 1876. 
Johnson, John, Autobiography of. Nash- 
ville, 1869. 
Jones, Joseph. Explorations of the Aborig- 
inal Remains of Tennessee. Washington, 
1876. 
Keele, William, Life of. By John D. Ewell. 

Noah, Tenn., 1884. 
Keating, John M. History of the Yellow 

Fever. Memphis, 1S79. 
Kidwell, J. M., Life Sketch of. By E. A. 

Elam. Nashville, 1893. 
Killebrew, J. B. Resources of Tennessee. 

Nashville, 1874. 
Ku Klux Klan. By Lester and Wilson. 

Nashville, 1884. 
Lindsley, J. Berrien. Military Annals of 
Tennessee, Confederate. Nashville, 1886. 
Lindsley, Philip. Works of. Three vol- 
umes. Philadelphia, 1S66. 
Livingston, John. Portraits and Memoirs 
of Eminent Americans. Two volumes. 
New York and London, 1853. 
McDonnold, B. W. History of the Cum- 
berland I'resbyterian Church. Nashville, 
1S88. 
McFerrin, John B., Biography of. By O. P. 

Fitzgerald. Nashville, 1888. 
McFerrin, John B. History of Methodism 
in Tennessee. Three volumes. Nash- 
ville, 1874. 
McGee, G. R. School History of Tennessee. 

Cincinnati, 1900. 
McNairy County, History of. By Marcus J. 

Wright. Washington, 1882. 
Maury County, History of. By W. S. Flem- 
ing. Columbia, 1876. 
May, Charles. The Pioneers of Nashville and 

of Tennessee. Nashville, 1880. 
Memphis, History of. By James D. Davis. 

iVlemphis, 1873. 
Memphis, History of. By John jNI. Keating 
and O. F. Vedder. Three volumes. 
Syracuse, 1888. 
Merriam, Lucius S. Higher Education in 

Tennessee. Washington, 1893. 
Michaux, F. A. Travels to the Westward of 
the Alleghany Mountains. London, 1805. 
Miller, C. A. Official and Political Manual 

of Tennessee. Nashville, 1890. 
Monette, John W. Discovery and Settle- 
ment of the Mississippi Valley. Two vol- 
umes. New York, 1846. 
Morris, Eastin. Tennessee Gazetteer or 
Topographical Dictionary. Nashville, 
1834. 
Murfree, Mary N. C)ld Fort Loudon. New 

York, 1899. 
Murrell, John A., History of. By Au- 
gustus O. Walton. Cincinnati. 
Muster Rolls. Report of Adjutant General. 
Nashville, 1866. 



Fbderai. Offick-Holders from Tennessee. 



337 



Nashville, History of. Published by H. W. 

Crew. Nashville, 1890. 
Old Folks' Historical Record. October, 1S74, 

to September, 1875. Memphis. 
Otey, James Hervey, Memoirs of. By 

Wm. M. Green. New York, 1885. 
Overton County, History of. By A. V. 

Goodpasture. Nashville, 1877. 
Paine, Robert, Life of. By R. H. Rivers. 

Nashville, 1884. 
Park, James. History of the First Presby- 
terian Church in Knoxville. Knoxville, 

1876. 
Paschal, Edwin. Old Times; or, Tennessee 

History for Tennessee Boys and Girls. 

Nashville, 1869. 
Patton, S., Life and Times of. By D. R. 

McAnnally. St. Louis, 1859. 
Perkins, James H. Annals of the West. 

Revised by J. M. Peak. St. Louis, 1850. 
Phelan, James. History of Tennessee; the 

Making of a State. Boston and New 

York, 1888. 
Phelan, James. School History of Tennessee. 
Phelan, J&mes, Memorial Addresses on the 

Life and Character of. Washington, 1891. 
Pioneer Women of the West. By Mrs. EUet. 

New York, 1852. 
Polk, James K., Life of. By John S. 

Jenkins. Auburn, 1851. 
Polk, James K., Life and Public Services of. 

By G. H. Hickman. Baltimore, 1844. 
Polk, James K., History of the Administra- 
tion of. By Lucien B. Chase. New 

York, 1850. 
Polk, Sarah Childress, Memorials of. By 

Anson and Fanny Nelson. New York. 
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in Confederate Military History. At- 
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Putnam, A. W. History of Middle Ten- 
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Ramsey, J. G. M. Annals of Tennessee. 

Philadelphia, i860. 
Reconstruction: Why the Solid South. Bal- 
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Richardson, James D. Messages of the 

Presidents. Washington, Government 

Printing Ofifice, 1896. 
Robinson, J. B. Recollections of a Campaign 

in Mexico. Nashville. 
Roche, J. J. The Story of the Filibusters. 

New York, 1891. 
Roosevelt, Theodore. The Winning of the 

West. Fovir volumes. New York. 1895. 
Ross, Revibtn, Life and Times of. By James 

Ross. Philadelphia. 
Saflford, James M. Geology of Tennessee. 

Nashville, 1869. 



Sanford, E. T. Blount College and the 
University of Tennessee. 

Sewell, Jesse L., Life and Sermons of. By 
D. Lipscomb. Nashville, 1891. 

Smith, James. History of the Christian 
Church, including the History of the 
Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Nash- 
ville, 1835. 

Smith, J. Gray. Historical and Statistical 
Description of East Tennessee. London, 
184-'. 

Snyder, Ann E. The Civil War. Nashville. 

Snyder, Ann E. On the Watauga and the 
Cumberland. Nashville, 1897. 

Southwestern Monthly, Wales and Roberts, 
Publishers. January to December, 1852. 
Nashville. 

Speer, William S. Sketches of Prominent 
Tennesseans. Nashville, 1888. 

Spurrier, Joe L., with the Wildcats and 
Moonshiners. Nashville, 1892. 

Srygley, F. D. Seventy Years in Dixie. 
Nashville, 1891. 

Stewart, Virgil A., History of. By H. R. 
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.Summers, T. O. Biographical Sketches of 
Eminent Itinerant Ministers. Nashville, 
1859. 

Summers, T. O. A Life Study. By O. P. 
Fitzgerald. Nashville, 1884. 

Temple, O. P. The Covenanter, the Cavalier 
and the Puritan. Cincinnati, 1897. 

Temple, O. P. East Tennessee and the Civil 
War. Cincinnati, 1899. 

Thruston, Gates P. Antiquities of Tennessee. 
Cincinnati, 1890. 

Warner, James C, Life of. By J. B. Kille- 
brew. Nashville, 1897. 

W^atkins, Sam R. Company Aytch. Nash- 
ville, 1882. 

West Tennessee, Old Times in. By a De- 
scendant of One of the First Settlers. 
Memphis, 1873. 

White, Hugh Lawson, Memoir of. By 
Nancy N. Scott. Philadelphia, 1856. 

White, Moses. Early History of the Uni- 
versity of Tennessee. Knoxville, 1879. 

White, R. L. C. Centennial Dream. Nash- 
ville American, 1897. 

White, R. L. C. Century of Errors. Nash- 
ville American, 1899. 

Young, Jacob. Autobiography of a Pioneer. 
Cincinnati, 1857. 

Young, J. P. The Seventh Tennessee Cav- 
alry, Confederate. Nashville, 1890. 

Young, R. A. Personages. Nashville, 1861. 

Young, R. A. Celebrities and Less. Nash- 
ville, 1888. 



TENNESSEANS WHO HAVE HELD HIGH CIVIL OFFICE IN THE FEDERAL 

GOVERNMENT. 



PRESIDENTS. 

Andrew Jackson. 
James K. Polk. 
Andrew Johnson. 

VICE-PRESTDENT. 

Andrew Johnson. 



JUSTICES OF THE SUPREME COURT. 

John Catron. 
Howell E. Jackson. 

SPEAKERS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. 

John Bell. 
James K. Polk. 



338 



Appendix. 



PRESIDENTS OF THE SENATE, PRO TEMPORE. 

Joseph Anderson. 
Hugh L. White. 
Isham G. Harris. 

DEPARTMENT OFFICERS. 

George VV. Campbell, Secretary of the 

Treasury. 
John H. Eaton, Secretary of War. 
John Bell, Secretary of War. 
Felix Grundy, Attorney General. 
Cave Johnson, Postmaster General. 
Aaron V. Brown, Postmaster General. 
David M. Key, Postmaster General. 
Horace Maynard, Postmaster General. 
S. D. Jacobs, Assistant Postmaster General. 
James D. Porter, Assistant Secretary of State. 
Charles W. Dabney, Assistant Secretary of 

Agriculture. 

MINISTERS TO FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 

Russia — 

George W. Campbell. 
Neill S. Brown. 

Turkey — ' 

James Williams. 
Horace Alaynard. 

Chili — 

Balie Payton. 
James D. Porter. 



Spain — 

John H. Eaton. 

Prussia — 

Andrew J. Donelson. 

Brazil — 

William Trousdale. 

Bolivia — 

Allen A. Hall. 

Mexico — 

Andrew Jackson (declined). 

Venezuela — 

John L. Marling. 

REGISTERS OF THE TREASURY. 

Daniel Graham. 
Allen A. Hall. 
J. Fount Tillman. 

COMPTROLLER OF THE TREASURY. 

Joseph Anderson. 

MEMBER OF PHILIPPINE COMMISSION. 

Luke E. Wright. 



UNITED STATES SENATORS. 



CLASS I.l 

William Cocke, 1796-1797. 
Andrew Jackson, 1797-1798. 
Daniel Smith, 1798- 
Joseph Anderson, 1798-1815. 
George W. Campbell, 1815-1S18. 
John Henry Eaton, 1818-18.29. 
Felix Grundy, 1829-1838. 
Ephraim H. Foster, 1838-1839. 
Felix Grundy, 1839-1840. 
Alfred O. P. Nicholson, 1840-184: 
Vacant, 1841-1843. 
Ephraim H. Foster, 1843-1845. 
Hopkins L. Turney, 1845-1851. 
James C. Jones, 1851-1857. 
Andrew Johnson, 1857-1862. 
Vacant, 1862-1865. 
David T. Patterson, 1865-1869. 
William G. Brownlow, 1869-1875. 
Andrew Johnson, 1875. 
David M. Key, 1875-1877. 
James E. Bailey, 1877-1881. 
Howell E. Jackson, 1881-1887. 



Washington C. Whitthorne, 188; 
William B. Bate, 1887-190-. 

CLASS 2.1 

William Blount, 1796-1797. 
Joseph Anderson, 1797-1799. 
William Cocke, 1799-1805. 
Daniel Smith, 1805-1809. 
Jenkins Whiteside, 1809-1811. 
George W. Campbell, 1811-1814. 
Jesse Wharton, 1814-1815. 
John \\'illiams, 1815-1823. 
Andrew Jackson, 1823-1825. 
Hugh Lawson White, 1825-1840. 
Alexander Anderson, 1840-1841. 
Vacant, 1841-1843. 
Spencer Jarnagin, 1843-1847. 
John Bell, 1847-1859. 
Alfred O. P. Nicholson, 1859-18^ 
Vacant, 1861-1865. 
Joseph S. Fowler, 1865-1871. 
Henry Cooper, 1871-1877. 
Isham G. Harris, 1877-1898. 
Thomas B. Turley, 1898-190-. 



CONFEDERATE STATES SENATORS FROM TENNESSEE. 



Gustavus A. Henry, 1861-1865. 



Landon C. Ilaynes, 1861-1865. 



1 The members of the United States Senate are divided as equally as may be into three 
classes, so that one-third may be chosen every second year (Const., Art. I, Sec. 3). When 
Tennessee was admitted to the Union, her Senators were assigned to Classes i and 2 — 
Cocke being in Class i and Blount in Class 2. 



State and Territoriai, Officers. 
state and territorial officers. 



339 



PRESIDENTS OF CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTIONS. 

William Blount, 1796. 
William B. Carter, 1834. 
John Calvin Brown, ib7o. 

GOVERNOR OF SOUTHWEST TERRITORY. 

William Blount, 1790-1796. 

GOVERNORS OF TENNESSEE. 

I. John Sevier, 1796-1801. 
s. Archibald Koane, 1801-1S03. 
John Sevier, 1803-1809. 

3. Willie Blount, 1809-1815. 

4. Joseph McMinn, i8i5-i8_'i. 

5. William Carroll, 1821-18^7. 

6. Sam Houston, 1827-18^9. 

7. William Hall, April to October, 1829. 
William Carroll, 1829-1835. 

8. Newton Cannon, 1835-1839. 

9. James K. Polk, 1839-1841. 

10. James C. Jones, 1841-1845. 

11. Aaron V. Brown, 1845-1847. 

12. Neill S. Brown, 1847-1849. 

13. William Trousdale, 1849-1851. 

14. William B. Campbell, 1851-1853. 

15. Andrew Johnson, 1853-1857. 

16. Isham G. Harris, 1857-1863. 

Robert L. Caruthers, elected in 1S63, did 
not take his seat. 

Andrew Johnson, 1862-1865, Military Gov- 
ernor. 

17. William G. Brownlow, 1865-1869. 

18. DeWitt C. Senter, 1869-1871. 

19. John C. Brown, 1871-1875. 

20. James D. Porter, 1875-1879. 

21. Albert S. Marks, 1879-1881. 

22. Alvin Hawkins, 1881-1883. 

23. William B. Bate, 1883-1887. 

24. Robert L. Taylor, 1887-1891. 

25. John P. Buchanan, 1891-1893. 

26. Peter Turney, 1893-1897. 
Robert L. Taylor, 1897-1899. 

27. Benton McMillin, 1899- 

SPEAKERS OF THE TERRITORIAL COUNCIL AND 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. 

Council. 
Griffith Rutherford. 

House of Representatives. 
David Wilson. 

SPEAKERS OF THE TENNESSEE SENATE AND 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, WITH THE 
NUMBER OF THE GENERAL ASSEM- 
BLY IN WHICH EACH SERVED. 

Senate. 

James Winchester, ist. 

James White and William Blount, 2d. 

Alexander Outlaw, 3d. 

James White, 4th and 5th. 

Joseph McMinn, 6th, 7th, and 8th. 

Thomas Henderson, 9th. 

Robert C. Foster, loth. 

James Stewart, ist and 2d. 

Edward Ward, nth and 12th. 



Robert Weakley, 13th. 

Sterling Brewer, 14th. 

Robert Weakley, 15th. 

Robert C. Foster, 16th 

William Hall, 17th. 

Joel Walker, i8th. 

Burchett Douglass, 19th. 

David Burford, 20th. 

Jonathan Webster, 21st. 

Terry H. Cahal, 22d. 

Thomas Love, 23d. 

Sam Turney, 24th. 

Josiah M. Anderson, 25th. 

Harvey M. Waterson, 26th. 

Josiah M. Anderson, 27th. 

Jonn F. Henry, 28th. 

M. R. Hill, 29th. 

Edwin Polk, 30th. 

Edwin S. Cheatham, 31st. 

John C. Burch, 32d. 

Tazewell W. Newman, 33d. 

Edwin S. Cheatham, 34th (.Confederate). 

J. B. Frierson and Samuel R. Rodgers, 2d 34th. 

P. P. C. Nelson and DeWitt C. Senter, 35th. 

Dorsey B. Thomas, 36th. 

John C. Vaughan, 37th. 

A. T. Lacey, 38th. 
Thomas H. Paine, 39th. 
Hugh M. McAdoo, 40th. 
John R. Neal, 41st. 
George H. Morgan, 42d. 

B. F. Alexander, 43d. 

C. R. Berry, 44th. 
Z. \V. Ewing, 45th. 
Benjamin J. Lea, 46lh. 

W. C. Dismukes, 47th and 48th. 
Ernest Pillow, 49th. 
John Thompson, 50th 
Seid Waddell, 51st. 

House of Representatives. 

William Dickson, 3d and 4th. 

James Stewart, 5th. 

Robert C. Foster, 6th. 

John Tipton, 7th. 

Joseph Dickson, 8th. 

John Cocke, 9th. 

Thomas Claiborne, loth. 

James Fentress, nth, 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th. 

William Brady, i6th. 

John H. Camp, 17th. 

Ephraim H. Foster, 18th. 

Frederick \V. Huling, 19th and 20th. 

Ephraim H. Foster, 21st. 

John Cocke, 22d. 

Tonas E. Thomas, 23d. 

Burchett Douglass and Frankhn Buchanan, 

24th. 
Daniel L. Barringer, 25th. 
Brookins Campbell, 26th. 
Franklin Buchanan, 27th. 
Landon C. Haynes, 28th. 
Jordan Stokes, 29th. 
W. H. Wisener, 30th. 
Neill S. Brown, 3:st. 
Daniel S. Donelson,-,32d. 
W C. Whitthorne, 33d. 
Edwin A. Keeble, 34th (Confederate). 
William Heiskell, 2d 34th. 
F. S. Richards, 35th. 



340 



Appendix. 



William O'N. Perkins, 36th. 

James D. Richardson, 37th. 

\V. S. McGauhey, 38th. 

Lewis Bond, 39th. 

Edwin T. Talliaferro, 40th. 

Henry P. Fowlkes, 41st. 

H. B. Ratnsey, 42d. 

W. L. Ledgerwood, 43d. 

J. A. Manson, 44tli. 

W. L. Clapp, 4Sth and 46th. 

Thomas R. Myers, 47th. 

Ralph Davis and Julius A. Trousdale, 4Sth. 

John A. Tipton, 49tli. 

Morgan C. Fitzpatrick, 50th. 

Joseph W. Byrnes, 51st. 

JUDGES OF SOUTHWEST TERRITORY. - 

David Campbell, 1790-1796. 
John McNairy, 1790-1796. 
Joseph Anderson, 1791-1796. 

JUDGES OF TENNESSEE. 

Superior Court, iyg6-iSo<). 

John McNairy, 1796-1797. 
Archibald Roane, 1796-1801. 
Willie Blount, 1796. 
William C. C. Claiborne, 1796-1797. 
Howell Tatum, 1797-1798. 
David Campbell, 1797-1809. 
Andrew Jackson, 1798-1804. 
Hugh L. White, 1801-1807. 
John Overton, 1804-1809. 
Samuel Powell, 1807-1809. 
Parry W. Humphreys, 1807-1809. 
Thomas Emmerson, 1807. 

Supreme Court, under Act of i8og. 

Hugh Lawson White, 1809-1814. 

George W. Campbell. 1809-1811. 

John Overton, 1811-1816. 

W. W. Cooke, 181S-1816. 

Archibald Roane, 1815-1818. 

Robert Whyte, 1816-1835. 

John Haywood, 1816-1826. 

Thomas Emmerson, 1819-1822. 

Jacob Peck, 1822-1833. 

William L. Brown, 1S22-1823. 

John Catron, 1824-1835 — First Chief Justice. 

Thomas L. Williams, 1824. 

Henry Crabb, 1827. 

Nathan Green, 1831-1835. 

Supreme Court, under Constitution of iS-^4. 

Nathan Green, 1835-1853. 
William B. Reese, 1835-1847. 
William B. Turley, 1835-1853- 
Robert J. McKinney, 1847-1862. 
Archibald W. O. Totten, i85o-i'855. 
Robert L. Caruthers, 1853-1861. 
William R. Harris, 1855-1858. 



! — Fifth Chief 



Archibald Wright, 1858-1862. 
William F. Cooper, 1861-1862. 
Russell Houston, 1865. 
Samuel Milligan, 1865-1867. 
Henry G. Smith, 1865-1867. 
James O. Shackleford, 1S65-1867. 
Andrew McClain, 1867-1870. 
Alvin Hawkins, 1867-1870. 
George Andrews, 1867-1870. 

Supreme Court, under Constitution of\8yo. 
Thomas A. R. Nelson, 1870-1871. 
Alfred O. P. Nicholson, 1870-1876 — Second 

Chief Justice. 
James W. Deadenck, 1870-1884 — Third Chief 

Justice. 
Robert McFarland, 1872-1884. 
Peter Turney, 1870-1893 — Fourth Chief Justice. 
Thomas T. Freeman, 1870- 1886. 
John L. T. Sneed, 1870-1878. 
William F. Cooper, 1878-1886. 
Tames B. Cooke, 1884-1886. 
^Waller C. Caldwell, 1886-190-. 
William C. Fowlkes, i88( 
Horace H. Lurton, iSi 

Justice. 
^David L. Snodgrass, 1886-190 Seventh 

Chief Justice. 
^William D. Beard, 1890, and 1894-190-. 
Benjamin J. Lea, 1890-1894 — Sixth Chief 

Justice. 
2John S. Wilkes, 1893-190-. 
^William K. McAlister, 1893-190-. 

ATTORNEYS GENERAL AND REPORTERS. 

George S. Yerger, 1831-1839. 
Return J. Meigs, 1839. 
West H. Humphrevs, 1839-1851 
W. G. Swan, 1851-1854. 
John L. T. Sneed. 1854-1859. 
John W. Head, 1859 to Civil War. 
Thomas H. Coldwell, 1865-1S70. 
Joseph B. Heiskell, 1870-1878. 
Benjamin J. Lea, 1878-1886. 
George W. Pickle, 1886-190-. 

SECRETARIES OF STATE. 

^Daniel Smith was Secretary of the Territory, 
appointed by President Washington, June 
8, 1790, qualified December 15, 1790, served 
till the organization of the State, in 1796. 

William Maclin, 1796-1807. 

Robert Houston, 1807-1811. 

W. G. Blount, 1811-1815. 

WMlliam Alexander, 1815-1818. 

Daniel Graham, 1818-1830. 

Thomas H. Fletcher, 1830-1832. 

Samuel G. Smith, 1832-1835. 

Luke Lea, 1835-1839. 

John S. Young, 1839-1847. 

W. B. A. Ramsey, 1847-1855. 



2 Miller's Official Manual of Tennessee, p. 180, names Governor William Blount as a 
member of the Territorial Court, and omits the name of John McNairy. Both are erro- 
neous June 8, 1790, President Washington appointed Campbell, McNairy, and Perry to 
be the Judges of the Southwest Territory. Perry did not qualify, and Anderson was 
appointed in his place, and qualified July 15. i79i- See Blount's Journal in American 
Historical Magazine, pp. 221, 223, 230, 23s, and 239. 

3 Member of the present Bench. . 
*■ Miller's Manual states the appointment of Daniel Smith as made in 1792. 

error. See Blount's Journal. 



This is an 



State and Territoriai, Officers. 



341 



F. N. W. Burton, 1855-1859. 
J. E. R. Ray, 1859-1865. 

Edward H. East, 1862-1865 (appointed by 
Andrew Johnson, Military Governor). 

A. J. Fletcher, 1865-1870. 
T. H. Butler, 1870-1873. 
Charles N. Gibbs, 1873-1881. 
David A. Nunn, 1881-1885. 
John Allison, 1885-1889. 
Charles A. Miller, 1889-1893. 
William S. Morgan, 1893-190-. 

COMPTROLLERS OF THE TREASURY. 

Daniel Graham, 1836-1843. 
Felix K. Zollicoffer, 1843-1849. 

B. H. Sheppard, 1849-1851. 
Arthur R. Crozier, 1851-1855. 
James C. Luttrell, 1855-1857. 
James T. Dunlap, 1857-1861. 
Joseph S. Fowler, 1861-1865. 
6S. W. Hatchett, 1865- 1866. 

G. W. Blackburn, 1866-1870. 
E. R. Pennebaker, 1870-1873. 

W. W. Hobbs, January to May, 1873. 
John C. Burch, May, 1873, to 1875. 
Tames L. Gaines, 1875-1881. 
James N. Nolan, 1881-1883. 
P. P. Pickard, 1883-1889. 
J. W. Allen, 1889-1893. 
James A. Harris, 1893-1899. 
Theodore F. King, 1899-190-. 

TREASURERS. 

Under the Territorial Goziemment. 
Daniel Smith, Secretary of State, was ex 
officio Treasurer until September, 1794. 
In pursuance of an Act of the Territorial 
Legislature, Governor Blount, on Sep- 
tember 27, 1794, appointed Howell Tatum, 
Treasurer for Mero District, and on Sep- 
tember 30th, appointed Landon Carter, 
Treasurer for Washington and Hamilton 
Districts; both of these officers served 
until the organization of the State Gov- 
ernment, in March, 1796. 

Under the Constitution 0/17^6. 

For Washington and Hamilton Districts — 

Landon Carter, 1796- 1800. 

John Maclin, 1800-1803. 

Thomas McCorry, 1803-1813. 
For Mero District — 

William Black, 1796-1797. 

Robert Searcy, 1797-1803. 

Thomas Crutcher, 1803-1813. 
For East Tennessee — 

Thomas McCorry, 1813-1815. 

Matthew Nelson, 1815-1827. 

Miller Francis, 1827-1836. 
For West Tennessee — 

Thomas Crutcher, 1813-1836. 
For Western District — 

James Caruthers, 1827-1836. 



The Constitution of 1834 provided for one 

Treasurer for the State. 
Miller Francis, 1836-184^. 
Matthew Nelson, 1843-1845. 
Robert B. Turner, 1845-1847. 
Anthony Dibrell, 1847-1855. 
G. C. Torbett, 1855-1857. 
W. Z. McGregor, 1857-1865. 
R. L. Stanford, 1865-1866. 
John R. Henry, 1866-1868. 
W. H. Stillwell, 1868-1869. 
J. E. Rust, 1869-1871. 
William Morrow, 1871-1877. 
M. T. Polk, 1877-1883. 
Atha Thomas, 1883-1885. 
J. W. Thomas, 1885-1886. 
Atha Thomas, 1886-1889. 
M. F. House, 1889-1893. 
E. B. Craig, 1893-190-. 

STATE SUPERINTENDENTS OF PUBLIC 
INSTRUCTION. 

This office was created in 1835. The follow- 
ing Superintendents were elected by the 
Legislature: 

Robert H. McEwen, 1835-1840. 

Robert P. Currin, 1840-1841. 

Scott Terry, 1841-1844. 

The office was abolished in 1843, to take effect 
in 1844. The State Treasurer was made 
ex officio Superintendent of Public In- 
struction. In 1867, the office was again 
created. The following Superintendents 
were elected by the people: 

•John Eaton, 1867-1869. 

A. J. Tipton, 1869-1871. 

In 1870, the office was again abolished, to 
take effect in 1871, and the duties de- 
volved on the State Treasurer, ex officio. 
In 1S73, the office was again created, and 
the following Superintendents have been 
appointed by the Governor, and con- 
firmed by the Senate: 

John M. Fleming, 1873-1875. 

Leonidas Trousdale, 1875-1881. 

W. S. Doak, 1881-1882 (died). 

G. S. W. Crawford, 1882-1883. 

Thomas H. Paine, 1883-1887. 

Frank M. Smith, 1887-1891. 

W. R. Garrett, 1891-1893. 

Frank M. Smith, 1893-1895. 

S. G. Gilbreath, 1895-1897. 

Price Thomas, 1897-1899. 

Morgan C. Fitzpatrick, 1S99-190-. 



COMMISSIONERS OF AGRICULTURE. 

J. B. Killebrew, 1875-1881. 
A. W. Hawkins, 1881-1883. 

A. J. McWhirter, 1883-1887. 

B. M. Hord, 1887-1891. 
D. G. Godwin, 1891-1893. 
T. F. P. Allison, 1893-1897. 
John T. Essary, 1897-1899. 
Thomas H. Paine, 1899-190-. 



^ Joseph R. Dillin was elected April 25, 1865, but was ineligible, being a member of the 
Legislature that elected him. 

® Miller's Manual erroneously names L. R. Stanford in the list of State Superintendents. 
Mr. Stanford was Treasurer, 1865-1866, and was ex officio Superintendent, as were all the 
other Treasurers from 1844 to 1867. 



INDEX. 



[References are to numbered parag.raphs, unless otherwise specified.] 



Academies, 513. 

Academy Lands, .271. 

Adair, James, 60. 

Adair, John, 173. 

Adams, John, 417, 430. 

Admission of Tennessee, 202, 203, 204, 205, 208. 

Adventure, List of passengers on the good 

boat, 112. 
Agricuhure, Commissioner of, 528. 
Alamance, Battle of the, 58. 
Albright, J. A., 528. 
Alexander, Adam R., 306, 324. 
Allen, David Van H., 497. 
Allen, William B., 346. 
Allison, David, 167, 170. 
Allison, James, 167. 
Allison, T. F. P., 540. 
Alu-tucky, 314, 317. 
Ambrister, 303. 
Anderson, Alexander, 284. 
Anderson, Frank, 540. 
Anderson, John, 139. 
Anderson, Joseph, 169, 245, 288, 327. 
Anderson, Kellar, 486, 487, 488, 497. 
Anderson, Samuel R., 360, 425, 430. 
Appendix, pp. 317-334- 
Arbuthnot, 303. 
Arledge, Jesse, 471. 
Armada, The .Spanish, 30. 
Armidas, Philip, 27. 
Armstrong, Frank C, 430. 
Armstrong, Robert, 331. 
Arnold, Will T., 497. 

Association of Confederate Soldiers, 540. 
Atkinson, William and Matthew, 252. 
Augusta, Treaty of, 46; see Indian Treaties. 
Avant, Frank, 499. 

B 

Bailey, James E., 360, 471. 
Baker, John, 105. 
Baker, William, 63. 
Balch, Hezekiah, 275.——-- 
Balch, James, 275. 
Bancroft, George, 344. 
Bank of Tennessee, 3:0, 311. 
Baptist, N. W., 499. 
Baptists, 274, 276. 



Bar Association, 536. 

Barlow, Arthur, 27. 

Barton, Isaac, 276. 

Barton, Samuel, 117, 122, 124, 159. 

Bass, John M., 528, 534. 

Bate, James H., 539. 

Bate, William B., 430, 473, 474, 476. 

Baxter, John, 362, 476. 

Bean, John, 81. 

Bean, Russell, 65, 89. 

Beard, John, 173, 186. 

Beaver Creek Fort, 88. 

Been, William, 65, 89. 

Bell, John, 325, 328. 

Bell, Tyree H., 430. 

Belmont, Battle of, 367. 

Benton, Jesse, 306. 

Berry, Albert G., 497. 

Bethel College, 512. 

Bible School, 512. 

Bibliography, Appendix, pp. 335-337. 

Bird, Amos, 135. 

Bird, Colonel, 41. 

Blackburn, Gideon, 275. 

Blackmore, John, 117. 

Bledsoe, Abraham, 105. 

Bledsoe, Anthony, 77, 124, 149, 179, 188. 

Bledsoe, Isaac, 117, 124, 159, 167, 188. 

Bledsoe's Lick, 107. 

Blind School, 339. 

Bloody Fellow, i8i, 190. 

Blount, Willie, 169, 255, 288, 292, 302, 314, 324. 

Blount, William, 166, 169, 170, 171, 172, 181, 

182, 183, 186, 187, 188, 191, 195, 196, 197, 

200, 243, 250. 
Blufifs, Battle of the, 121, 122. 
Boone, Daniel, 62, 105. 
Bowen, William, 107. 
Boyd's Creek, Battle of, 133. 
Bradford, James C, 536. 
Bransford, Hiram S.. 360. 
Breath, 190. 

Bridge Burners, The, 368. 
Brook, J. L., 538. 
Brown, Aaron V., 343, 347- 
Brown, George Leroy, 497- 
Brown, Jacob, 73, 81, 212. 



344 



Index. 



Brown, James, 190. 

Brown, John C, 347, 417, 430, 451, 452, 468, 

469, 470. 
Brown, Joseph, 190. 
Brown, Neill S., 347, 34S, 360, 452, 526. 
Brown, Tully, 505 
Brownlow, John P., 429. 
Biownlow, William (>., ^$2, 361, 434, 435, 436, 

441, 442, 447. 
Brown's Settlement, y^. 
Buchanan, Alexander, 109, 122. 
Buchanan, Andrew, 117. 
Buchanan, John, 48, 109, 122, 481. 
Buchanan, John P., 481, 482, 483, 484, 485, 4S9. 
Buchanan, Mrs. Sally, 183. 
Buchanan, William, 90. 
Buchanan's Station, Battle of, 182, 183. 
Bullock, E. L., 499. 
Burk, William, 277. 
Burritt College, 512. 



Cage, William, 139. 
Caldwell, S. Y., 523. 
Cameron, Alexander, 77, 87. 
Campbell, Alexander W., 430. 
Campbell, Arthur, 129, 133. 
Campbell, David, 139, 143, 169. 
Campbell, F. J., 339- 

Campbell, George W., • 

Campbell, John, 90. 

Campbell, W. P. A., 43^- 

Campbell, William, 129. 130, 132. 

Campbell, William-B., 346, 348, 349. 429. 

Camp-meeting, First, 281. 

Cannon, Newton, 314, 324. 330, 331, 333- 334- 

Caperton, William P.., 497. 

Capitol Building, 341. 

Carels, Joseph S., 534. 

Carnes, Samuel T., 484, 486, 487. 488. 

Carnes, W. W., 432. 

Carrick, Samuel, 27s, 509. 

Carroll, William, 300, 312, 313. 315. 3-'o, 33°, 335- 

Carroll, William H., 430. 

Carson and Newman College, 512. 

Carter, E. E., 532. 

Carter, John, 72, 81, 83, 84, 98. 

Carter, John C, 417, 430. 

Carter, Landon, 133, 138, 139. 167. 

Carter, Samuel P., 429. 

Carter, William P.., 324. 

Carter, William Blount, 368. 

Carter's Valley Settlement, 72. 94. 

Caruthers, Robert E., 354. 377- 

Caswell, William R., 360. 

Catholics, 287. 



Catron, John, 329. 

Cavett Station, 186. 

Centennial, 493, 494, 495. 

Centennial Dream, 495. 

Central Tennessee College, 512. 

Cession Act of 1784, 136, 264. 

Cession Act of 1789, 165, 266. 

Champlin, James, 339. 

Chapman, Thomas, 139. 

Charities, State Board of, 528. 

Charleville, M., 35. 

Chattanooga, Siege of, 399, 401. 

Cheatham, Benjamin F., 346, 360, 367, 430. 

Cheatham, Joseph J., 497. 

Cherokees, 19, 20, 87, 133, 134, 152, 160, 175, 

183, 18s, 186, 187, 192. 
Chickamauga, Battle of, 398. 
Chickamaugas, 133, 134, 160, 175, 183. 
Chickasaw Cession, 305; see Indian Treaties. 
Chickasaws, 18, 20, 87, 119, 120, 152, 162, 175, 

181, 192. 
Childers, Gracey, 497. 
Chissel, Fort, 41. 
Choctaws, IS, 87, 175. 
Christian Brothers' College, 512. 
Christian, John, 276. 
Christian, Col. William, 95. 
Christians, 287. 
Cleveland, Colonel, 129. 
Coal Creek Insurrections, 483, 484, 486, 487, 

488. 
' Cocke, John, 340. 
I /Cocke, William, 90, 128, 135, 138, 140, 143, 170, 

173. 243, 293. 
Code of Tennessee, 354. 
Coffee, John, 292, 293, 296, 300, 
Coldwater Expedition, 162. 
Cole, E. W., 478. 
College Lands, 271. 
Colonial Dames, 531. 
Compact of 1806, 270. 
Confederate Cemeteries, List of, 540. 
Confederate Pension Law, 482. 
Confederate States Senators from Tennessee, 

List of. Appendix, p. 33S. 
Confederate Soldiers' Home, 479, 528. 
Constitution of 1796, 197, 198, I99. -oo- 
Constitution of 1834, 324. 
Constitution of 1870, 451, 45-% 453- 45t- 455. 

466, 467. Appendix, pp. 3I7--334- 
Constitution of Franklin, 140. 
Conway, George, 249, 254- 
Cooley, Theodore, 494. 
Cooper, H. T., 532. 
Cooper, Joseph A., 429. 
Cooper, William F., 354, 536. 



Index, 



345 



County Land Offices, 261. 

Coussan, John, 275. 

Cowan, Ned, 105. 

Craighead, Thomas, 275, 509, 512. 

Crawford, Edward, 275. 

Crawford, G. S. W., 473. 

Crawford, John, 275. 

Creeks, The, 17, 20, 87, 134, 160, 175, iSi, 183, 

18s, 186, 187, 192. 
Crockett, David, 306, 326, 342. 
Cross, Nathaniel, 512, 534. 
Crumbliss, H., 532. 

Cumberland Compact, 114, 115, i»6, 117. 
Cumberland Pre-emptions, 262. 
Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 286. 
Cumberland University, 512. 
Cummings, Charles, 94, 274, 275. 
Curry, J. L. M., 326. 

D 

Dare, Virginia, 29, 55. 

Daughters of the American Revolution, 531. 

Davidson County, 147, 148, i6i, 163, 164, 

166, 168. 
Davidson, H. B., 430. 
Davis, Robert, 91. 
Davis, Sam, 431. 
Deaf and Dumb School, 340. 
Demonbreun, Timothy, 107. 
DeSoto, 23. 
Dews, Robert, 87. 
Dibrell, George G., 425, 430. 
Dillard, John L., 2S6. 
Disciples, 287. 
Dix, Dorothy L., 323. 
Doak, Henry M., 432. 
Doak, Samuel, 129, 135, 275, 473, 509. 
Doak, W. S., 473. 
Dobbs, Fort, 41. 
Dogherty, George, 135, 173. 
Donelson, Daniel S., 360, 425, 430. 
Donelson, Fort, 366, 371. 
Donelson, John, 53, 102, no, iii, 112, 117. 
Donelson, Stockly, 167, 173, 253. 
Dorris, Mary C, 479. 
Doyle, Robert M., 497. 
Dragging Canoe, 90, 102. 
Drake, Joseph, 105. • 
Duncan, John, 107. 
Dunlap, R. G., 331, 460. 
Dunnington, John \\'., 432. 
Du Ouesne, Fort, 42, 43, 44. 



E 



Eakin, John Hill, 528. 
East, E. IL, 489- 



East Tennessee and Georgia Railroad Com- 
pany, 463. 

East Tennessee and Virginia Railroad, 463. 

East Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia Rail- 
road, 463. 

Eastman, E. G., 332. 

Eaton, Amos, 109. 

Eaton, John, 478, 521. 

Eaton, John H., 303. 

Edmiston, Robert, 91. 

Education, 506-526. 

Elizabeth, Queen, 26, 27. 

Ely, Jesse, 540. 

Embree, Elihu, 440. 

Emuckfau, Battle of, 293. 

English, The, 27, 28, 29, 31, 39. 

Enotachopco, Battle of, 293. 

Episcopalians, 287. 

Eslick, Fred M., 497. 

Etheridge, Emerson, 442. 

Etowah, Battle of, 187. 

Evans, H. Clay, 491. 

Eve, Paul F., 360. 

Ewin, Andrew, 117. 124, 167. 

Ewing, Finis, 284, 286. 



Fain, R. G., 360. 

Falling, William, 86. 

Farmers' Alliance, 481. 

Farragut, David G., 170, 428. 

Farragut, George, 170, 428. 

Federalists, 202. 

Ferguson, James, 107. 

Ferguson, Patrick, 126, 128, 129, 130. 

Field, Plume R., 425. 

"Fifty-four" Proposition, 472. 

First Tennessee Regiment, 503. 

Fishing Creek, Battle of, 369. 

Fisk, Moses, 512. 

Fisk University, 512. 

Fitzgerald, William, 306. 

Fitzpatrick, Morgan C, 503. 

Fleming, John M., 470. 

Florida War, 331. 

Ford, James, 162, 173. 

Forrest, N. B., 371, 373, 381, 387, 388, 389, 390, 
394. 395. 396, 398, 400, 408, 409. 410, 411, 
412, 413, 414, 415, 419, 420, 430. 

"Forrest's Navy," 412, 413. 

Forrest's Raids, 407-415. 

Fort, William, 173. 

Foster, Ephraim H., 343. 

Foster, R. C, 360. 

Foster, Robert C, 302. 

Fox, J. L., 488. 

Franklin, Battle of, 417. 



346 



Index. 



Franklin, State of, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141. 14-2. 

143. 144- 
Frazer, John VV., 430. 
Frazier, Thomas N., 438. 
Freeland, George, 108, 117, 134. 
Freeland Station, Battle of, 119, 120. 
French, The, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37. 
French Trading Post, at Nashville, 35, 37. 
Fulton, John S., 425. 
Fussell, J. H., 473. 
Fyfife, J. P., 484, 487, 497- 

G 

Gaines, Edmund P., 301. 

Gaines, John W., 505. 

Gammon, Richard, 173. 

Gentry, Meredith P., 352. 

George III, Proclamation of 1763, 45, 47, 4S, 79. 

Gift, George W., 432. 

Gilbert, Sir Humphrey, 26, 27. 

Gilbreath, S. G., 490. 

Gill, Peter, 122. 

Gillem, Alvan C, 429. 

Gillespie, Fort, 88. 

Gist, Joshua, 139. 

Gleaves, Albert, 497. 

Goodlett, Mrs. M. C, 540. 

Goodman, Frank, 538. 

Gordon, Boiling, 452. 

Gordon, George W., 430, 475- S40. 

Gracey, Frank P., 412. 

Grand Army of the Republic. 532. 

Grant, First, 48. 

Grant University, 512. 

Greeneville and Tusculum College, 512. 

Grenville, Sir Richard, 28. 

Grundy, Felix, 325, 329. 

Guild, George B., 482, 540. 

Guild, Jo. C., 342, 343- 

H 

Hager, George F., 482, 540. 

Hall, Allen A., 332, 335. 

Hall, John, 84. 

Hall, William, 317. 319- 

Hamilton District, 174- 

Hamilton, Joseph, 170. 

Handly, Samuel, 185. 

Hanging Maw, 150. 

Hanley, James, 108. 

Hardin, Joseph, 135, 173. 

Harding, W. G., 360. 

Hard Labor, Treaty of, 49. 51, 52; see Indian 

Treaties. 
Harris, F. S., 425, 540. 
Harris, Isham G., 327, 334, 353, 356, 360, 377, 

437. 496. 



Harris, J. George, 332, 335. 

Hartford Convention, 289. 

Haskell, William T., 346, 348. 

Hatton, Robert, 353, 425, 430. 

Haw, James, 277. 

Hawkins, Alvin, 472, 473. 

Haynes, Landon C, 377. 

Hays, Robert, 162, 170. 

Haywood, John, 354. 534. 

Head, Jarnes M., 505. 

Health, State Board of, 528. 

Heaton, Fort, 88, 90. 

Heiman, A., 371. 

Henderson, Robert, 275. 

Henderson, William A.. 534. 

Henry, Fort, 366, 370. 

Henry, Gustavus A., 350, 359, 377. 

Hibbett, Charles T., 497. 

Hickman, Edwin, 170. 

Hickman, John P., 479, 482, 540. 

Hill, Benjamin J., 430. 

Historical Society, 534. 

Hiwassee College, 512. 

Hiwassee Railroad Company, 463. 

Hixson, Samuel, 538. 

Hogan, Richard, 107. 

Hogs, 179. 

Holliday, John, 107. 

Holman, D. W., 398, 423. 

Home School, 506. 

Horton, Joseph, 63. 

Houston, James, 135. 

Houston, Sam, 297, 314, 315. 316, 317, 318, 34^- 

Houston, Rev. Samuel. 140. 

Howard, George A., 432. 

Hughes. John M., 425. 

Hume, Alfred, 519- 

Hume, William, 512. 

Humes, Thomas W.. 512, 521. 

Humes, W. Y. C, 430. 

Hunters, The, 61, 63. 

Hunting Grounds, The. 7. 

Huntsman, Adam, 306, 324. 



"Immortal Thirteen," 338. 

Impeachment of Judge Frazier, 438. 

Indian Boundary, 246, 247. 

Indian Races, i. 

Indian Reservation, Plan to Make the 

Western Country an, 156. 
Indians, The, 1-20. 
Indian Treaties, 209--239. 
Indian War, The First, 85. 
Industrial School, 478. 
Ingraham, J. H., 5:9. 



Index. 



347 



Insane, Asylums for the, 323. 
Internal Improvements, 4s6--46y. 
Introductory Chapter, p. 13. 
Iroquois, The, 6, 7. 
Island Flats, Battle of, 90, 91. 



Jackson, Alfred E., 430. 

Jackson, Andrew, 170, 191, 198, 244, 245, 254, 

255, 256, 257, 259, 289, 292, 293, 299, 303, 

305, 307. 308. 3'5, 3^5- 
Jackson, Andrew, Jr., 424. 
Jackson County, 252. 
Jackson, Howell E., 476. 
Jackson Purchase; see Indian Treaties. 
Jackson, William H., 420, 422, 430. 
Jerks, 282. 

John Armstrong's Land Office, 263, 264. 
Johnson, y^ndrew, 338, 350, 352, 361, 378, 404, 

405, 429, 433, 435, 439, 520. 
Johnson, Bushrod R., 370, 425, 430, 512. 
Johnson, Cave, 329, 350. 
Johnson, Thomas, 302, 329. 
Joliet, 35. 
Jonesboro, 102. 
Jones, James C, 336, 337, 352. 

K 

Keel, James, 276. 

Keilan, James, 368. 

Kelley, D. C, 411. 

Kelly, Alexander, 173. 

Kelly, Joshua, 276. 

Kelso, F. M., 425. 

Kennedy, David, 135. 

Kennedy, George, 122. 

Key, Albert L., 497. 

Key, David M., 360. 

Killebrew, J. B., 5-2. 526. 

King College, 512. 

King Fisher, 187, 

King, Rufus, 203, 204, 207. 

King, Samuel, 284, 286. 

King, Thomas, 170. 

King's Mountain, Battle of, 58, 130, 13T. 

Kittageska, 181. 

Knox, Dudley W., 497. 

Knoxville, Siege of, 402. 

Ku Klux Klan. 445. 446, 447, 448, 449, 455. 



Labor, Commissioner of, 528. 

Lacy, Hopkins, 173. 

Ladies' Hermitage Association, 479, 537. 

Lagrange and Memphis Railroad, 4O1, 

Lake, Joseph, 275. 



Lambert, Jeremiah, 277. 

Land Offices, 261, 263. 

Land Speculations, 253. 

Lands, Public, 248, 260--273, 

Lane, Ralph, 28. 

Lane, Tidence, 276. 

LaSalle, 35. 

Laughlin, Samuel H., 338. 

"Lavergne Races," 389. 

Lea, John M., 528, 534. 

Lea, Luke, 167. 

Legislative Assembly, First, 55, 56. 

LeMoyne Institute, 512. 

Leiper, James, 117, 122. 

Lewis, Andrew, 40. 

Library, State, 528. 

Lindsay, Isaac, 105, 117, 124, 159. 

Lindsley, J. Berrien, 523. 

Lindsley, Philip, 512. 

Lindsley, Sallie M., 479. 

Livermore, Samuel, 207. 

Lochabar, Treaty of, 53; see Indian Treaties. 

Locke, John, 58. 

Long Island of Holston, Treaty of, 96; see 

Indian Treaties. 
Lopez, Robert F., 497. 
Loudon, Fort, 40, 42, 43. 
Love, Josiah, 170. 
Loyal League, The, 444, 449. 
Lucas, Isaac, 122. 
Lucas, Robert, 81, 117- HQ. 
Lutherans, 287. 

M 
McAdow, Samuel, 286. 
McBury, Leonard, 95. 
McClung, Charles, 167. 
McClure, Andrew, 275. 
McComb, William, 425, 430. 
McCown, John P., 430. 
McDonald, James P., 362. 
McDonnold, R. L., 538. 
McFerrin, John B., 277. 
McGavock Cemetery, 418. 
McGee, John, 279, 280. 
McGee, William., 279, 280. 

McGillivray, Alexander, 160, 175, 181, 184, 188. 
McGready, James, 278, 280, 281. 
McGrann, William H., 497. 
McKenzie, J. N., 499. 
McLean, Ridley, 497. 
McLemore, Albert S., 497. 
McMillin, Benton, 471, 500, 501, 505. 
McMinn, Joseph, 167, 173, 200, 302, 309, 458. 
McMurray, W. J.. 479, 528, S40. 
McNairy, John, 169. 



348 



Index. 



McTyeire, Holland N., 512. 

McVVhirter, A. J., 502. 

Madison, Thomas, go. 

Malloray, Charles K., 497. 

Maney, George, 425, 430. 

Manifee, James, 122. 

Mansker, Kasper, 105, 108, 167. 

Marks, Albert S., 471, 472. 

Marquet, 35. 

Martin, G. W., 471. 

Martin, Joseph, 133. 

Maryville College, 512. 

Mauldin, James, 117. 

Maury, Matthew F., 432. 

Maynard, Horace, 361. 

Maynard, Washburn, 497. 

Meade, Robert L., 497. 

Mecklenburg Resolutions, 58. 

Medical Society, 535. 

Meek, Adam, 173. 

Meigs, Return J., 354. 

Memphis, 307. 

Mero District, 163, 164. 168, 170, 182, 188. 

Methodists, 274, 277. 

Mexican War, 346. 

Middle Striker, 185. 

Military Government, 378. 

Military Reservation, 149. 

Militia, 248, 249. 

Milligan College, 512. 

Mill Springs, see Fishing Creek. 

Mims, A. L., 491. 

Minis, Fort, Massacre of, 291. 

Miro, Don Estavan, 164. 

Missionary Ridge, Battle of, 401. 

Mississippi River, Navigation of. 153, 154, 

177, 202. 
Mitchell, Richard, 169. 
Mobilian Race, 2. 
Molloy, Thomas, 117, 124. 
Montgomery, John, 103, 112, 117. 
Montgomery, L. P., 297. 
Moore, Lieutenant, 91. 
Morgan, John H., 380, 382. 
Morrison, John, 91. 
Morton, John W., 412, 540. 
Moses, Frank A., 482, 540. 
Mound Builders, 5. 
Mulherrin, James, 109. 
Mulhcrrin, John, 109. 
Murfreesboro, Battle of, 392. 
Murphy, William, 276. 
Murrell, Thomas, 276. 
Musgrove's Mill, Battle of, 128. 
Mustin, Henry C, 497- 



N 

Nashborough, 108. 

Nashborough, Treaty of, 143, 151; see Indian 

Treaties. 
Nashville, 160. 
Nashville, Battle of, 419. 
Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad, 463. 
Natchez Indians, 3, 4. 
National Cemeteries, List of, 532. 
Neely, William, loS. 
Nelson, Thomas, A. K.. 361. 
Nelson, Valentine S., 497. 
Netherland, John, 356, 362. 
Newman, John, 135. 
New Orleans, Battle of, 300. 
Nicholson, Alfred O. P., 354, 452, 455. 
Nickajack Expedition, 190, 191, 192, 193. 
Nixon, W. M., 502. 
Norman, II. H., 484, 487. 
North Carolina, 58. 
North Holston Settlement, 71. 



Oconostota, 40. 

Office in the Federal Government, List of 

Tennesseans who have held High Civil, 

Appendix, pp. 337--335. 
Ogden, Benjamin, 276. 
Old Abraham, 92. 
Opiomingo, 120^ 181. 
Ore, James, 190. 
Orman, J. A., 528. 
Otey, James Hervey, 512. 
Overall, William. 108. 
Overton, James, 463. 
Overton, John, 170, 269, 307, 308. 



Packenham, Sir Edward, 300. 

Paine, Thomas IL, 475. 

Palmer, Joseph B., 430. 

Paris, Treaty of, 1763, 44. 65. 

Paulett, John W., 538. 

Payne, William PL, 512. 

Peabody Fund, 526. 

Peabody, George, 526. 

Peabody Normal College, see University of 

Nashville and Peabody Norma! College. 
Penitentiary, 322, 480, 49°. 498. 
Perkins, Nicholas, 167. 
Peyton, John, 150. 
Philippine War, 505. 

Pillow, Gideon J.. 346. 360, 365. 3^7. 37i. A3o. 
Polk, Ezekiel, 167. 
Polk, James K., 328. 3^9. 333. 334. 335. 337< 342, 

344. 345. 514. 515- 



Index. 



349 



Polk, Lucius E., 430. 

Porter, James D., 360, 470, 471, 534- 

Porter, Thomas K., 432. 

Preface, p. 5. 

Presbyterians, 274, 275, 287. 

Press, Association, 536. 

Priestly, James, 512. 

Prince, Francis, 159. 

Prince George, Fort, 39. 

Prison Commission, 502, 528. 

Prud Homme, 35. 

Pryor, James C, 497. 

Public School Officers' Association, 478, 538. 

Purvis, George E., 536. 

Putnam, A. Waldo, 534. 



Ouarles, Robert T., 494, 534. 
Ouarles, William A., 417, 430. 
Ouintard, C. T., 512. 



Railroad Commission, 475, 476, 499, 502, 528. 

Railroads, 460, 461, 463. 

Rains, John, 105, 109, 117, 167. 

Rains, James E., 430. 

Raleigh, Sir Walter, 26, 27, 28, 29. 

Ramsey, F. A., 139, 167, 170. 

Ramsey, J. G. M., 534. 

Rankin, Adam, 275. 

Rankin, Tillie, 532. 

Raven, The, 94. 

Rawlings, Asahel, 135. 

Reconstruction, 433--447. 

Rees, James, 170. 

Reformation, Effects of the, 25. 

Reneau, Isaac T., 339. 

Renfroe's Station, 119. 

Revival of 1800, 278-286. 

Rhea, John, 167, 170. 

Rice, David, 275, 283. 

Rice, John, 307. 

Richardson, E. R., 540. 

River Navigation, 458* 

Roads, loi, 457. 

Roane, Archibald, 170, 251, 254, 255, 256, 257, 

258, 535. 
Roane, James, 535. 
Roberts, Colonel, 190. 
Roberson, Charles, 84, 87, 102, 127, 167. 
Robertson, Felix, 336. 
Robertson, James, 74, 75. 76, 81, 92, 96, 102, 

108, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 124, 151, 162, 

164, 167, 169, 178, 179, 181, 182, 183, 186, 

188, 189, 191, 198. 
Robertson. Mark, 108. 



Robinson, Charles, 484. 
Roger Williams University, 512. 
Rogers, Charles C, 497. 
Rothrock, R. G., 540. 
Rounsevall, David, 117. 
Ruhm, Thomas F., 497. 
Russell, Andrew, 170. 
Russell, David, 173. 
Rutherford, Griffith, 95, 127, 173. 
Rutledge, George, 173. 



Safety, Committee of, 83. 
Savage, John H., 347, 348, 471, 475. 
Scales, Dabney M., 432. 
School Fund, 517, 523. 

Schools, Public, 27i, 441, 455, 470, 514, 515, 
516, 517, 518, 519, 520, 521, 522, 523, 524, 
5-^5. 526. 
Scotch-Irish, The, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70. 
Seal, The Great (p. 140), 252. 
Seaman, Frank, 532. 
Sears, Barnas, 522, 526. 
Secession of Tennessee, 357, 358, 359. 
Seminoles, The, 16. 
Seminole War, 303. 

Senter, D. \V. C, 447, 448, 450. 

Settlement South of French Broad and Hol- 
ston, 264, 272. 

Sevier, John, 84, 92, 93, 127, 129, 130, 132, 133, 
134, 138, 139, 144, 145, 146, 169, 173. 178, 
182, 186, 187, 188, 192, 201, 240, 241, 242, 
254, 255, 256, 257, 258, 259, 288. 

Sevier, T. F., 540. 

Sevier, Valentine, 179, 307. 

Shaw, James, 117. 

Shawnees, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 183, 185. 

Shelby, Evan, 71, 102, 103, 143. • 

Shelby, Isaac, 71, 91, 127, 128, 129, 130, 132, 
149, 241. 

Shelby, James, 90, 91. "^ 

Sherrill, "Bonnie Katie," 93. 

Shiloh, Battle of, 374. 

Sitgreaves, Joseph, 170. 

Slavery, 55, 57, 351, 440. 

Smith, Baxter, 425. 

Smith, Daniel, 124, 169, 187, 189. 

Smith, E. Kirby, 512. 

Smith, Frank M., 478, 490. 

Smith, Henry, 105. 

Smith, James, 63. 

Smith, Preston, 403. 

Smith, Thomas B., 430. 

Smith, William C, 497. 

Smith, William J., 429. 

Sneed, John L. T., 360. 



350- 



Index. 



Sons of the American Revolution, 531. 

Sons of Confederate Veterans, 540. 

Southwest Territory, 166--208, 267. 

Southwestern Baptist University, 512. 

Southwestern Presbyterian University, 512. 

Spalding, George, 429. 

Spanish, The, 22, 32, 155, 156, 157, 158, 175, 
176, 177, 178, 184. 

Spanish War, 497. 

Spears, James G., 429. 

Spencer, Thomas Sharpe, 106. 

Stanwix, Fort, Treaty of, 50, 51, 52; see 
Indian Treaties. 

State and Territorial Officers, List of. Ap- 
pendix, pp. 339--34I- 

State Debt, 321, 466, 469, 470, 471, 472, 473, 474, 
501. 

State Teachers' Association, 538. 

Stevenson, Vernon K., 360, 363. 

Stewart, Alexander P., 430. 

Stokes, William B., 450. 

Stone, Uriah, 63, 105. 

Strahl, Oscar F., 417, 430. 

Streight Raid, 380. 

Strickland, William, 34:. 

Stuart, Henry, 87. 

Stuart, John, 87. 

Suggestions to Teachers, pp. 10, 127, 241. 

Sumner County, 161, 163, 164, 166, 168. 

Swanson, Edward, 108, 122. 



Talbot, Matthew, 276. 

Talbot, Thomas, 139. 

Talladega, Battle of, 293. 

Tallushatchee, Battle of, 293. 

Tate, Edward, 167. 

Tatum, Absalom, 149. 

Tatum, Howell, 167, 170. 

Taylor, Alfred A., 477. 

Taylor, A. R., 484, 488. 

Taylor, Leroy, 173. 

Taylor, Permenas, 173. 

Taylor, Robert L., 477, 479. 49i- 

Temple, O. P., 362. 

Tennessee County, 161, 163, 164, 166, it 

Terril, Obediah, 105. 

Text-Book Commission, 503, 504. 

Thomas, Isaac, 86. 

Thomas, Price, 495. 

Thompson, Frank M., 499. 

Thompson, James, 90. 

Thompson, Thomas, 109. 

Thruston, Gates P., 393, 494, 534. 

Tillman, Edwin PI., 497. 

Tipton, John, 133, 144, 173. 

Titus, Ebenezer, 117. - 



Tohopeka, Battle of, 294-297. 
Topical Analysis — 

Part I — Division I, p. 29. 
Division II, p. 45. 
Division III, pp. 63 and 13S. 
Part II — Division I, p. 181. 
Division II, p. 260 
Division III, p. 316. 
Totten, A. W. O., 359. 
Traders, The Indian, 60. 
Transylvania Purchase, 8i, 105; see Indian 

Treaties. 
Travis, W. E., 471. 
Trice, J. H., 502. 
Trousdale, Leon, 471, 473, 475, 538 
Trousdale, William, 346, 348, 349. 
Turley, J. A., 475. 
Turley, Thomas B., 496. 
Turney, Peter, 489, 490. 
Turnpikes, 459, 461. 
Tyler, Robert C, 430. 

u 

Uchees, The, 14. 

Union Convention, 362, 406, 433, 434. 

United Confederate Veterans, 540. 

L^nited Daughters of the Confederacy, 540. 

United States Senators from Tennessee, List 

of. Appendix, p. 38. 
University of Nashville and Peabody Normal 

College, 509, 512. 
University of the South, 512. 
University of Tennessee, 509, 512, 513. 



Vanderbilt, Cornelius, 512. 
Vanderbilt University, 512. 
Vaughan, Alfred J., 430. 
Vaughn, John C, 424, 430. 
Virginia, 54, 55, s6, 57- 

w 

Walker, Lucius M., 430. 

Walker, Thomas, 61. 

Walker, William, 355. 

Wallace, Rush R., 497. 

Wamack's Fort, 88. 

Ward, Edward, 312. 

Ward, Nancy, 86, 87, 89. 

War Ford, Battle of, 133. 

Washington College, 309, 512. 

Washington County, 97, 98, loi, 102, 166, 168. 

Washington District, 82, 83, 85. 

Washington, George, First geographical di- 
vision named for, 82, 252. 

Washington Judicial District, 163, 168, 184, 
i8s, 187. 



Index. 



351 



Watauga Association, 79, 80, 81, 82, 212, 214. 
Watauga, Fort, 90, 92, 93. 
Watauga Settlement, 74, 77, 78, 79. 
Watkins Institute, 528. 
Watkins, Samuel, 528. 
Watson, Samuel, 526. 
Watts, John, 181, 183, 190. 
Weakley, Robert, 302. 
Wear, Samuel, 173. 
Weatherford, 290, 298. 
Wells, Heydon, 117. 
Wanning, Lieutenant, 487. 
Westbrook, E. E., 471. 
Western Purchase; see Indian Treaties. 
West Tennessee, 304, 305, 306. 
Wharton, A. D., 432. y^ 

Wharton, Jesse, 302. -'' 

^^'Wheless, John F., 432, --' 
- White, Hugh L., 169, 187, 250, 326, 327, 332. 
White, Dr. James, 170, 173, 191, 195. 
White, James, 167, 250. 
White, John, 29. 
White, Newton H., 499. 
White, R. L. C, 495. 536- 
White, Zachariah, 108, 122. 
Whitthorne, W. C, 360, 476. 
Wilcox, Cadmus M., 430. 
Williams, Colonel, 95. 



Williams, Daniel, 109. 

Williams, James, 352. 

Williams, Jarrett, 87. 

Williams, John, 294. 

Williams, Sampson, 109. 

Williams, Thomas L., 499. 

Williams, William, 360. 

Williamson, Colonel, 95. 

Wilson, A. B., 540. 

Wilson, James, 135. 

Wilson, S. F., 472. 

Winchester, George, 170. 

Winchester, James, 167, 173, 254, 301, 308. 

Winchester Normal College, 512. 

Winstead, George W., 489. 

Winston, Major, 95, 129. 

Woolford, Cator, 488. 

Wright, John V., 472. 

Wright, Marcus J., 430. 



Yandell, Lunsford P., 535. 
Yardley, Sir George, 56. 



Zeigler, Josephine C, 532, 

Zeigler's Station, Capture of, 180, 181, 18 

Zollicoffer, Felix K., 360, 369, 383, 430. 



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